Heterocyclic derivatives as modulators of ion channels

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to heterocyclic derivatives useful as inhibitors of ion channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/077,220, filed Jul. 1, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of ion channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Na channels are central to the generation of action potentials in all excitable cells such as neurons and myocytes. They play key roles in excitable tissue including brain, smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, skeletal muscle, the peripheral nervous system, spinal cord and airway. As such they play key roles in a variety of disease states such as epilepsy (See, Moulard, B. and D. Bertrand (2002) “Epilepsy and sodium channel blockers” Expert Opin. Ther. Patents 12(1): 85-91)), pain (See, Waxman, S. G., S. Dib-Hajj, et al. (1999) “Sodium channels and pain” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96(14): 7635-9 and Waxman, S. G., T. R. Cummins, et al. (2000) “Voltage-gated sodium channels and the molecular pathogenesis of pain: a review” J Rehabil Res Dev 37(5): 517-28), myotonia (See, Meola, G. and V. Sansone (2000) “Therapy in myotonic disorders and in muscle channelopathies” Neurol Sci 21(5): S953-61 and Mankodi, A. and C. A. Thornton (2002) “Myotonic syndromes” Curr Opin Neurol 15(5): 545-52), ataxia (See, Meisler, M. H., J. A. Kearney, et al. (2002) “Mutations of voltage-gated sodium channels in movement disorders and epilepsy” Novartis Found Symp 241: 72-81), multiple sclerosis (See, Black, J. A., S. Dib-Hajj, et al. (2000) “Sensory neuron-specific sodium channel SNS is abnormally expressed in the brains of mice with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and humans with multiple sclerosis” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97(21): 11598-602, and Renganathan, M., M. Gelderblom, et al. (2003) “Expression of Na(v)1.8 sodium channels perturbs the firing patterns of cerebellar purkinje cells” Brain Res 959(2): 235-42), irritable bowel (See, Su, X., R. E. Wachtel, et al. (1999) “Capsaicin sensitivity and voltage-gated sodium currents in colon sensory neurons from rat dorsal root ganglia” Am J Physiol 277(6 Pt 1): G1180-8, and Laird, J. M., V. Souslova, et al. (2002) “Deficits in visceral pain and referred hyperalgesia in Nav1.8 (SNS/PN3)-null mice” J Neurosci 22(19): 8352-6), urinary incontinence and visceral pain (See, Yoshimura, N., S. Seki, et al. (2001) “The involvement of the tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel Na(v)1.8 (PN3/SNS) in a rat model of visceral pain” J Neurosci 21(21): 8690-6), as well as an array of psychiatry dysfunctions such as anxiety and depression (See, Hurley, S. C. (2002) “Lamotrigine update and its use in mood disorders” Ann Pharmacother 36(5): 860-73).

Voltage gated Na channels comprise a gene family consisting of 9 different subtypes (NaV1.1-NaV1.9). As shown in Table 1, these subtypes show tissue specific localization and functional differences (See, Goldin, A. L. (2001) “Resurgence of sodium channel research” Annu Rev Physiol 63: 871-94). Three members of the gene family (NaV1.8, 1.9, 1.5) are resistant to block by the well-known Na channel blocker TTX, demonstrating subtype specificity within this gene family. Mutational analysis has identified glutamate 387 as a critical residue for TTX binding (See, Noda, M., H. Suzuki, et al. (1989) “A single point mutation confers tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin insensitivity on the sodium channel II” FEBS Lett 259(1): 213-6).

TABLE 1 (Abbreviations: CNS = central nervous system, PNS = peripheral nervous sytem, DRG = dorsal root ganglion, TG = Trigeminal ganglion): Na isoform Tissue TTX IC50 Indications NaV1.1 CNS, PNS soma of 10 nM Pain, Epilepsy, neurons neurodegeneration NaV1.2 CNS, high in axons 10 nM Neurodegeneration Epilepsy NaV1.3 CNS, embryonic, 15 nM Pain injured nerves NaV1.4 Skeletal muscle 25 nM Myotonia NaV1.5 Heart 2 μM Arrhythmia, long QT NaV1.6 CNS widespread, 6 nM Pain, movement disorders most abundant NaV1.7 PNS, DRG, 25 nM Pain, Neuroendocrine terminals disorders neuroendocrine NaV1.8 PNS, small neurons >50 μM Pain in DRG & TG NaV1.9 PNS, small neurons 1 μM Pain in DRG & TG

In general, voltage-gated sodium channels (NaVs) are responsible for initiating the rapid upstroke of action potentials in excitable tissue in nervous system, which transmit the electrical signals that compose and encode normal and aberrant pain sensations. Antagonists of NaV channels can attenuate these pain signals and are useful for treating a variety of pain conditions, including but not limited to acute, chronic, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain. Known NaV antagonists, such as TTX, lidocaine (See, Mao, J. and L. L. Chen (2000) “Systemic lidocaine for neuropathic pain relief” Pain 87(1): 7-17.) bupivacaine, phenytoin (See, Jensen, T. S. (2002) “Anticonvulsants in neuropathic pain: rationale and clinical evidence” Eur J Pain 6 (Suppl A): 61-8), lamotrigine (See, Rozen, T. D. (2001) “Antiepileptic drugs in the management of cluster headache and trigeminal neuralgia” Headache 41 Suppl 1: S25-32 and Jensen, T. S. (2002) “Anticonvulsants in neuropathic pain: rationale and clinical evidence” Eur J Pain 6 (Suppl A): 61-8.), and carbamazepine (See, Backonja, M. M. (2002) “Use of anticonvulsants for treatment of neuropathic pain” Neurology 59(5 Suppl 2): S14-7), have been shown to be useful attenuating pain in humans and animal models.

Hyperalgesia (extreme sensitivity to something painful) that develops in the presence of tissue injury or inflammation reflects, at least in part, an increase in the excitability of high-threshold primary afferent neurons innervating the site of injury. Voltage sensitive sodium channels activation is critical for the generation and propagation of neuronal action potentials. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that modulation of NaV currents is an endogenous mechanism used to control neuronal excitability (See, Goldin, A. L. (2001) “Resurgence of sodium channel research” Annu Rev Physiol 63: 871-94). Several kinetically and pharmacologically distinct voltage-gated sodium channels are found in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The TTX-resistant current is insensitive to micromolar concentrations of tetrodotoxin, and displays slow activation and inactivation kinetics and a more depolarized activation threshold when compared to other voltage-gated sodium channels. TTX-resistant sodium currents are primarily restricted to a subpopulation of sensory neurons likely to be involved in nociception. Specifically, TTX-resistant sodium currents are expressed almost exclusively in neurons that have a small cell-body diameter; and give rise to small-diameter slow-conducting axons and that are responsive to capsaicin. A large body of experimental evidence demonstrates that TTX-resistant sodium channels are expressed on C-fibers and are important in the transmission of nociceptive information to the spinal cord.

Intrathecal administration of antisense oligo-deoxynucleotides targeting a unique region of the TTX-resistant sodium channel (NaV1.8) resulted in a significant reduction in PGE₂-induced hyperalgesia (See, Khasar, S. G., M. S. Gold, et al. (1998) “A tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium current mediates inflammatory pain in the rat” Neurosci Lett 256(1): 17-20). More recently, a knockout mouse line was generated by Wood and colleagues, which lacks functional NaV1.8. The mutation has an analgesic effect in tests assessing the animal's response to the inflammatory agent carrageenan (See, Akopian, A. N., V. Souslova, et al. (1999) “The tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel SNS has a specialized function in pain pathways” Nat Neurosci 2(6): 541-8.). In addition, deficit in both mechano- and thermoreception were observed in these animals. The analgesia shown by the Nav1.8 knockout mutants is consistent with observations about the role of TTX-resistant currents in nociception.

Immunohistochemical, in-situ hybridization and in-vitro electrophysiology experiments have all shown that the sodium channel NaV1.8 is selectively localized to the small sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion and trigeminal ganglion (See, Akopian, A. N., L. Sivilotti, et al. (1996) “A tetrodotoxin-resistant voltage-gated sodium channel expressed by sensory neurons” Nature 379(6562): 257-62.). The primary role of these neurons is the detection and transmission of nociceptive stimuli. Antisense and immunohistochemical evidence also supports a role for NaV1.8 in neuropathic pain (See, Lai, J., M. S. Gold, et al. (2002) “Inhibition of neuropathic pain by decreased expression of the tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel, NaV1.8” Pain 95(1-2): 143-52, and Lai, J., J. C. Hunter, et al. (2000) “Blockade of neuropathic pain by antisense targeting of tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channels in sensory neurons” Methods Enzymol 314: 201-13.). NaV1.8 protein is upregulated along uninjured C-fibers adjacent to the nerve injury. Antisense treatment prevents the redistribution of NaV1.8 along the nerve and reverses neuropathic pain. Taken together the gene-knockout and antisense data support a role for NaV1.8 in the detection and transmission of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.

In neuropathic pain states there is a remodeling of Na channel distribution and subtype. In the injured nerve, expression of NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 are greatly reduced whereas expression of the TTX sensitive subunit NaV1.3 is 5-10 fold upregulated (See, Dib-Hajj, S. D., J. Fjell, et al. (1999) “Plasticity of sodium channel expression in DRG neurons in the chronic constriction injury model of neuropathic pain.” Pain 83(3): 591-600.) The timecourse of the increase in NaV1.3 parallels the appearance of allodynia in animal models subsequent to nerve injury. The biophysics of the NaV1.3 channel is distinctive in that it shows very fast repriming after inactivation following an action potential. This allows for sustained rates of high firing as is often seen in the injured nerve (See, Cummins, T. R., F. Aglieco, et al. (2001) “Nav1.3 sodium channels: rapid repriming and slow closed-state inactivation display quantitative differences after expression in a mammalian cell line and in spinal sensory neurons” J Neurosci 21(16): 5952-61.). NaV1.3 is expressed in the central and peripheral systems of man. NaV1.9 is similar to NaV1.8 as it is selectively localized to small sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion and trigeminal ganglion (See, Fang, X., L. Djouhri, et al. (2002). “The presence and role of the tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel Na(v)1.9 (NaN) in nociceptive primary afferent neurons.” J Neurosci 22(17): 7425-33.). It has a slow rate of inactivation and left-shifted voltage dependence for activation (See, Dib-Hajj, S., J. A. Black, et al. (2002) “NaN/Nav1.9: a sodium channel with unique properties” Trends Neurosci 25(5): 253-9.). These two biophysical properties allow NaV1.9 to play a role in establishing the resting membrane potential of nociceptive neurons. The resting membrane potential of NaV1.9 expressing cells is in the −55 to −50 mV range compared to −65 mV for most other peripheral and central neurons. This persistent depolarization is in large part due to the sustained low-level activation of NaV1.9 channels. This depolarization allows the neurons to more easily reach the threshold for firing action potentials in response to nociceptive stimuli. Compounds that block the NaV1.9 channel may play an important role in establishing the set point for detection of painful stimuli. In chronic pain states, nerve and nerve ending can become swollen and hypersensitive exhibiting high frequency action potential firing with mild or even no stimulation. These pathologic nerve swellings are termed neuromas and the primary Na channels expressed in them are NaV1.8 and NaV1.7 (See, Kretschmer, T., L. T. Happel, et al. (2002) “Accumulation of PN1 and PN3 sodium channels in painful human neuroma-evidence from immunocytochemistry” Acta Neurochir (Wien) 144(8): 803-10; discussion 810.). NaV1.6 and NaV1.7 are also expressed in dorsal root ganglion neurons and contribute to the small TTX sensitive component seen in these cells. NaV1.7 in particular may therefore be a potential pain target in addition to it's role in neuroendocrine excitability (See, Klugbauer, N., L. Lacinova, et al. (1995) “Structure and functional expression of a new member of the tetrodotoxin-sensitive voltage-activated sodium channel family from human neuroendocrine cells” Embo J 14(6): 1084-90).

NaV1.1 (See, Sugawara, T., E. Mazaki-Miyazaki, et al. (2001) “Nav1.1 mutations cause febrile seizures associated with afebrile partial seizures.” Neurology 57(4): 703-5.) and NaV1.2 (See, Sugawara, T., Y. Tsurubuchi, et al. (2001) “A missense mutation of the Na+ channel alpha II subunit gene Na(v)1.2 in a patient with febrile and afebrile seizures causes channel dysfunction” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98(11): 6384-9) have been linked to epilepsy conditions including febrile seizures. There are over 9 genetic mutations in NaV1.1 associated with febrile seizures (See, Meisler, M. H., J. A. Kearney, et al. (2002) “Mutations of voltage-gated sodium channels in movement disorders and epilepsy” Novartis Found Symp 241: 72-81)

Antagonists for NaV1.5 have been developed and used to treat cardiac arrhythmias. A gene defect in NaV1.5 that produces a larger noninactivating component to the current has been linked to long QT in man and the orally available local anesthetic mexilitine has been used to treat this condition (See, Wang, D. W., K. Yazawa, et al. (1997) “Pharmacological targeting of long QT mutant sodium channels.” J Clin Invest 99(7): 1714-20).

Several Na channel blockers are currently used or being tested in the clinic to treat epilepsy (See, Moulard, B. and D. Bertrand (2002) “Epilepsy and sodium channel blockers” Expert Opin. Ther. Patents 12(1): 85-91.); acute (See, Wiffen, P., S. Collins, et al. (2000) “Anticonvulsant drugs for acute and chronic pain” Cochrane Database Syst Rev 3), chronic (See, Wiffen, P., S. Collins, et al. (2000) “Anticonvulsant drugs for acute and chronic pain” Cochrane Database Syst Rev 3, and Guay, D. R. (2001) “Adjunctive agents in the management of chronic pain” Pharmacotherapy 21(9): 1070-81), inflammatory (See, Gold, M. S. (1999) “Tetrodotoxin-resistant Na+ currents and inflammatory hyperalgesia.” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96(14): 7645-9), and neuropathic pain (See, Strichartz, G. R., Z. Zhou, et al. (2002) “Therapeutic concentrations of local anaesthetics unveil the potential role of sodium channels in neuropathic pain” Novartis Found Symp 241: 189-201, and Sandner-Kiesling, A., G. Rumpold Seitlinger, et al. (2002) “Lamotrigine monotherapy for control of neuralgia after nerve section” Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 46(10): 1261-4); cardiac arrhythmias (See, An, R. H., R. Bangalore, et al. (1996) “Lidocaine block of LQT-3 mutant human Na+ channels” Circ Res 79(1): 103-8, and Wang, D. W., K. Yazawa, et al. (1997) “Pharmacological targeting of long QT mutant sodium channels” J Clin Invest 99(7): 1714-20); neuroprotection (See, Taylor, C. P. and L. S. Narasimhan (1997) “Sodium channels and therapy of central nervous system diseases” Adv Pharmacol 39: 47-98) and as anesthetics (See, Strichartz, G. R., Z. Zhou, et al. (2002) “Therapeutic concentrations of local anaesthetics unveil the potential role of sodium channels in neuropathic pain” Novartis Found Symp 241: 189-201).

Various animal models with clinical significance have been developed for the study of sodium channel modulators for numerous different pain indications. E.g., malignant chronic pain, see, Kohase, H., et al., Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2004; 48(3):382-3; femur cancer pain (see, Kohase, H., et al., Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2004; 48(3):382-3); non-malignant chronic bone pain (see, Ciocon, J. O. et al., J Am Geriatr Soc. 1994; 42(6):593-6); rheumatoid arthritis (see, Calvino, B. et al., Behav Brain Res. 1987; 24(1):11-29); osteoarthritis (see, Guzman, R. E., et al., Toxicol Pathol. 2003; 31(6):619-24); spinal stenosis (see, Takenobu, Y. et al., J Neurosci Methods. 2001; 104(2):191-8); Neuropathic low back pain (see, Hines, R., et al., Pain Med. 2002; 3(4):361-5; Massie, J. B., et al., J Neurosci Methods. 2004; 137(2):283-9; neuropathic low back pain (see, Hines, R., et al., Pain Med. 2002; 3(4):361-5; Massie, J. B., et al., J Neurosci Methods. 2004; 137(2):283-9); myofascial pain syndrome (see, Dalpiaz & Dodds, J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2002; 16(1):99-104; Sluka K A et al., Muscle Nerve. 2001; 24(1):37-46); fibromyalgia (see, Bennet & Tai, Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1995; 15(3):115-9); temporomandibular joint pain (see, Ime H, Ren K, Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 1999; 67(1):87-97); chronic visceral pain, including, abdominal (see, Al-Chaer, E. D., et al., Gastroenterology. 2000; 119(5):1276-85); pelvic/perineal pain, (see, Wesselmann et al., Neurosci Lett. 1998; 246(2):73-6); pancreatic (see, Vera-Portocarrero, L. B., et al., Anesthesiology. 2003; 98(2):474-84); IBS pain (see, Verne, G. N., et al., Pain. 2003; 105(1-2):223-30; La J H et al., World Gastroenterol. 2003; 9(12):2791-5); chronic headache pain (see, Willimas & Stark, Cephalalgia. 2003; 23(10):963-71); migraine (see, Yamamura, H., et al., J Neurophysiol. 1999; 81(2):479-93); tension headache, including, cluster headaches (see, Costa, A., et al., Cephalalgia. 2000; 20(2):85-91); chronic neuropathic pain, including, post-herpetic neuralgia (see, Attal, N., et al., Neurology. 2004; 62(2):218-25; Kim & Chung 1992, Pain 50:355); diabetic neuropathy (see, Beidoun A et al., Clin J Pain. 2004; 20(3):174-8; Courteix, C., et al., Pain. 1993; 53(1):81-8); HIV-associated neuropathy (see, Portegies & Rosenberg, Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2001; 145(15):731-5; Joseph EK et al., Pain. 2004; 107(1-2):147-58; Oh, S. B., et al., J Neurosci. 2001; 21(14):5027-35); trigeminal neuralgia (see, Sato, J., et al., Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2004; 97(1):18-22; Imamura Y et al., Exp Brain Res. 1997; 116(1):97-103); Charcot-Marie Tooth neuropathy (see, Sereda, M., et al., Neuron. 1996; 16(5):1049-60); hereditary sensory neuropathies (see, Lee, M. J., et al., Hum Mol Genet. 2003; 12(15):1917-25); peripheral nerve injury (see, Attal, N., et al., Neurology. 2004; 62(2):218-25; Kim & Chung 1992, Pain 50:355; Bennett & Xie, 1988, Pain 33:87; Decostered, I. & Woolf, C. J., 2000, Pain 87:149; Shir, Y. & Seltzer, Z. 1990; Neurosci Lett 115:62); painful neuromas (see, Nahabedian & Johnson, Ann Plast Surg. 2001; 46(1):15-22; Devor & Raber, Behav Neural Biol. 1983; 37(2):276-83); ectopic proximal and distal discharges (see, Liu, X. et al., Brain Res. 2001; 900(1):119-27); radiculopathy (see, Devers & Galer, (see, Clin J Pain. 2000; 16(3):205-8; Hayashi N et al., Spine. 1998; 23(8):877-85); chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain (see, Aley, K. O., et al., Neuroscience. 1996; 73(1):259-65); radiotherapy-induced neuropathic pain; post-mastectomy pain (see, Devers & Galer, Clin J Pain. 2000; 16(3):205-8); central pain (Cahana, A., et al., Anesth Analg. 2004; 98(6):1581-4), spinal cord injury pain (see, Hains, B. C., et al., Exp Neurol. 2000; 164(2):426-37); post-stroke pain; thalamic pain (see, LaBuda, C. J., et al., Neurosci Lett. 2000; 290(1):79-83); complex regional pain syndrome (see, Wallace, M. S., et al., Anesthesiology. 2000; 92(1):75-83; Xantos D et al., J Pain. 2004; 5(3 Suppl 2):S1); phanton pain (see, Weber, W. E., Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2001; 145(17):813-7; Levitt & Heyback, Pain. 1981; 10(1):67-73); intractable pain (see, Yokoyama, M., et al., Can J Anaesth. 2002; 49(8):810-3); acute pain, acute post-operative pain (see, Koppert, W., et al., Anesth Analg. 2004; 98(4):1050-5; Brennan, T. J., et al., Pain. 1996; 64(3):493-501); acute musculoskeletal pain; joint pain (see, Gotoh, S., et al., Ann Rheum Dis. 1993; 52(11):817-22); mechanical low back pain (see, Kehl, L. J., et al., Pain. 2000; 85(3):333-43); neck pain; tendonitis; injury/exercise pain (see, Sesay, M., et al., Can J Anaesth. 2002; 49(2):137-43); acute visceral pain, including, abdominal pain; pyelonephritis; appendicitis; cholecystitis; intestinal obstruction; hernias; etc (see, Giambernardino, M. A., et al., Pain. 1995; 61(3):459-69); chest pain, including, cardiac Pain (see, Vergona, R. A., et al., Life Sci. 1984; 35(18):1877-84); pelvic pain, renal colic pain, acute obstetric pain, including, labor pain (see, Segal, S., et al., Anesth Analg. 1998; 87(4):864-9); cesarean section pain; acute inflammatory, burn and trauma pain; acute intermittent pain, including, endometriosis (see, Cason, A. M., et al.,Horm Behav. 2003; 44(2):123-31); acute herpes zoster pain; sickle cell anemia; acute pancreatitis (see, Toma, H; Gastroenterology. 2000; 119(5):1373-81); breakthrough pain; orofacial pain, including, sinusitis pain, dental pain (see, Nusstein, J., et al., J Endod. 1998; 24(7):487-91; Chidiac, J. J., et al., Eur J Pain. 2002; 6(1):55-67); multiple sclerosis (MS) pain (see, Sakurai & Kanazawa, J Neurol Sci. 1999; 162(2):162-8); pain in depression (see, Greene B, Curr Med Res Opin. 2003; 19(4):272-7); leprosy pain; behcet's disease pain; adiposis dolorosa (see, Devillers & Oranje, Clin Exp Dermatol. 1999; 24(3):240-1); phlebitic pain; Guillain-Barre pain; painful legs and moving toes; Haglund syndrome; erythromelalgia pain (see, Legroux-Crespel, E., et al., Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2003; 130(4):429-33); Fabry's disease pain (see, Germain, D. P., J Soc Biol. 2002;196(2):183-90); Bladder and urogenital disease, including, urinary incontinence (see, Berggren, T., et al., J Urol. 1993; 150(5 Pt 1):1540-3); hyperactivity bladder (see, Chuang, Y. C., et al., Urology. 2003; 61(3):664-70); painful bladder syndrome (see, Yoshimura, N., et al., J Neurosci. 2001; 21(21):8690-6); interstitial cyctitis (IC) (see, Giannakopoulos& Campilomatos, Arch Ital Urol Nefrol Androl. 1992; 64(4):337-9; Boucher, M., et al., J Urol. 2000; 164(1):203-8); and prostatitis (see, Mayersak, J. S., Int Surg. 1998; 83(4):347-9; Keith, I. M., et al., J Urol. 2001; 166(1):323-8).

Unfortunately, as described above, the efficacy of currently used sodium channel blockers for the disease states described above has been to a large extent limited by a number of side effects. These side effects include various CNS disturbances such as blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, and sedation as well more potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac failure. Accordingly, there remains a need to develop additional Na channel antagonists, preferably those with higher potency and fewer side effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that compounds of this invention, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.1 and NaV1.3 voltage-gated sodium channels. These compounds have the general formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

These compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions are useful for treating or lessening the severity of a variety of diseases, disorders, or conditions, including, but not limited to, acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, incontinence, visceral pain, osteoarthritis pain, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head or neck pain, severe or intractable pain, nociceptive pain, breakthrough pain, postsurgical pain, or cancer pain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein, independently for each occurrence:

-   -   R and R₁ are halo or a C1-C6 aliphatic;     -   m is an integer from 0 to 4 inclusive; and     -   n is an integer from 0 to 5 inclusive.

For purposes of this invention, the chemical elements are identified in accordance with the Periodic Table of the Elements, CAS version, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 75^(th) Ed. Additionally, general principles of organic chemistry are described in “Organic Chemistry”, Thomas Sorrell, University Science Books, Sausalito: 1999, and “March's Advanced Organic Chemistry”, 5^(th) Ed., Ed.: Smith, M. B. and March, J., John Wiley & Sons, New York: 2001, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

As described herein, compounds of the invention may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents, such as are illustrated generally above, or as exemplified by particular classes, subclasses, and species of the invention. It will be appreciated that the phrase “optionally substituted” is used interchangeably with the phrase “substituted or unsubstituted.” In general, the term “substituted”, whether preceded by the term “optionally” or not, refers to the replacement of hydrogen radicals in a given structure with the radical of a specified substituent. Unless otherwise indicated, an optionally substituted group may have a substituent at each substitutable (i.e., having the requisite valency available for a given substituent) position of the group, and when more than one position in any given structure may be substituted with more than one substituent selected from a specified group, the substituent may be either the same or different at every position. Combinations of substituents envisioned by this invention are preferably those that result in the formation of stable or chemically feasible compounds. The term “stable”, as used herein, refers to compounds that are not substantially altered when subjected to conditions to allow for their production, detection, and preferably their recovery, purification, and use for one or more of the purposes disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a stable compound or chemically feasible compound is one that is not substantially altered when kept at a temperature of 40° C. or less, in the absence of moisture or other chemically reactive conditions, for at least a week.

The term “aliphatic” or “aliphatic group”, as used herein, means a straight-chain (i.e., unbranched) or branched, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon chain that is completely saturated or that contains one or more units of unsaturation. Unless otherwise specified, aliphatic groups contain 1-20 aliphatic carbon atoms. In some embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In other embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-8 aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-6 aliphatic carbon atoms, and in yet other embodiments aliphatic groups contain 1-4 aliphatic carbon atoms. Suitable aliphatic groups include, but are not limited to, linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl groups. The term “cycloaliphatic” means a monocyclic hydrocarbon, bicyclic, or tricyclic hydrocarbon that is completely saturated or that contains one or more units of unsaturation, but which is not aromatic and has a single point of attachment to the rest of the molecule. In some embodiments, “cycloaliphatic” refers to a monocyclic C₃-C₈ hydrocarbon or bicyclic C₈-C₁₂ hydrocarbon that is completely saturated or that contains one or more units of unsaturation, but which is not aromatic, that has a single point of attachment to the rest of the molecule wherein any individual ring in said bicyclic ring system has 3-7 members.

Unless otherwise specified, the term “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, “heterocycloaliphatic”, or “heterocyclic” as used herein means non-aromatic, monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic ring systems in which one or more ring atoms in one or more ring members is an independently selected heteroatom. Heterocyclic ring can be saturated or can contain one or more unsaturated bonds. In some embodiments, the “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, or “heterocyclic” group has three to fourteen ring members in which one or more ring members is a heteroatom independently selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, or phosphorus, and each ring in the ring system contains 3 to 7 ring members.

The term “heteroatom” means oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, or silicon (including, any oxidized form of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, or silicon; the quaternized form of any basic nitrogen or; a substitutable nitrogen of a heterocyclic ring, for example N (as in 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrolyl), NH (as in pyrrolidinyl) or NR⁺ (as in N-substituted pyrrolidinyl)).

The term “unsaturated”, as used herein, means that a moiety has one or more units of unsaturation but is not aromatic.

The term “alkoxy”, or “thioalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group, as previously defined, attached to the principal carbon chain through an oxygen (“alkoxy”) or sulfur (“thioalkyl”) atom.

The term “aryl” used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in “aralkyl”, “aralkoxy”, or “aryloxyalkyl”, refers to monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic ring systems having a total of five to fourteen ring carbon atoms, wherein at least one ring in the system is aromatic and wherein each ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ring carbon atoms. The term “aryl” may be used interchangeably with the term “aryl ring”.

The term “heteroaryl”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in “heteroaralkyl” or “heteroarylalkoxy”, refers to monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic ring systems having a total of five to fourteen ring members, wherein at least one ring in the system is aromatic, at least one ring in the system contains one or more heteroatoms, and wherein each ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ring members. The term “heteroaryl” may be used interchangeably with the term “heteroaryl ring” or the term “heteroaromatic”.

The term “alkylidene chain” refers to a straight or branched carbon chain that may be fully saturated or have one or more units of unsaturation and has two points of attachment to the rest of the molecule.

The term “selectively” or “selective” in referring to compounds of the present invention refers to the increased activity of these compounds on NaV1.1 and/or NaV1.3 sodium ion channels over other sodium ion channels and is generally anywhere from 30 to 100 times greater.

The term “spirocycloalkylene” refers to a cycloaliphatic ring that has two points of attachment from the same carbon atom to the rest of the molecule.

Unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant to include all isomeric (e.g., enantiomeric, diastereomeric, and geometric (or conformational)) forms of the structure; for example, the R and S configurations for each asymmetric center, (Z) and (E) double bond isomers, and (Z) and (E) conformational isomers. Therefore, single stereochemical isomers as well as enantiomeric, diastereomeric, and geometric (or conformational) mixtures of the present compounds are within the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise stated, all tautomeric forms of the compounds of the invention are within the scope of the invention. For example, certain embodiments of compounds of formula (I), wherein hydrogen and thiazol-2-yl, can exist in tautomeric forms as shown below:

Thus, included within the scope of the invention are tautomers of compounds of formula (I), wherein the ring nitrogen atom is amenable to a 1-3 tautomeric shift.

Additionally, unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant to include compounds that differ only in the presence of one or more isotopically enriched atoms. For example, compounds of formula (I), wherein one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced deuterium or tritium, or one or more carbon atoms are replaced by a ¹³C- or ¹⁴C-enriched carbon are within the scope of this invention. Such compounds are useful, for example, as analytical tools, probes in biological assays, or sodium channel blockers with improved therapeutic profile.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a compound of formula I and the attendant definitions, wherein R is halo. In another embodiment, R is F.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to compound of formula I and the attendant definitions, wherein R₁ is halo. In another embodiment, R₁ is Cl. In another embodiment, R₁ is F. In another embodiment, R₁ is C1-C6 aliphatic. In another embodiment, R₁ is methyl.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to compound of formula I and the attendant definitions, wherein m is 0. In another embodiment, m is 2.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to compound of formula I and the attendant definitions, wherein n is 0. In another embodiment, n is 1. In another embodiment, n is 2.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to compound of formula I and the attendant definitions, wherein m and n are 0. In another embodiment, m is 0 and n is 1. In another embodiment, m is 0 and n is 2.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to compound of formula I and the attendant definitions, wherein m is 0, n is 1, and R₁ is Cl. In another embodiment, m is 0, n is 1, and R₁ is F. In another embodiment, m is 0, n is 2, and R₁ is Cl. In another embodiment, m is 0, n is 2, and R₁ is Cl and Me. In another embodiment, m is 2, R is F, and n is 2. In another embodiment, m is 2, R is F, n is 2, and R₁ is Cl.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to compound of formula I and the attendant definitions, having formula Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, or Ie:

wherein, independently for each occurrence:

R and R₁ are C1-C6 aliphatic or halo.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to compound of formula I and the attendant definitions, wherein the compound is selected from Table 2.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of modulating a NaV1.1 or NaV1.3 sodium ion channel comprising the step of contacting said sodium ion channel with a compound of any one of claims 1 to 24.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of treating or lessening the severity in a subject of acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, dipolar disorder, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, incontinence, visceral pain, osteoarthritis pain, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head or neck pain, severe or intractable pain, nociceptive pain, breakthrough pain, postsurgical pain, cancer pain, stroke, cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stress- or exercise induced angina, palpitations, hypertension, migraine, or abormal gastro-intestinal motility, comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of formula I to said subject in need thereof.

In another embodiment, said method is used for treating or lessening the severity of acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain.

In another embodiment, said method is used for treating or lessening the severity of radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head pain, neck pain, intractable pain, acute pain, postsurgical pain, back pain, tinnitis or cancer pain.

In another embodiment, said method is used for treating or lessening the severity of femur cancer pain; non-malignant chronic bone pain; rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis; spinal stenosis; neuropathic low back pain; neuropathic low back pain; myofascial pain syndrome; fibromyalgia; temporomandibular joint pain; chronic visceral pain, including, abdominal; pancreatic; IBS pain; chronic and acute headache pain; migraine; tension headache, including, cluster headaches; chronic and acute neuropathic pain, including, post-herpetic neuralgia; diabetic neuropathy; HIV-associated neuropathy; trigeminal neuralgia; Charcot-Marie Tooth neuropathy; hereditary sensory neuropathies; peripheral nerve injury; painful neuromas; ectopic proximal and distal discharges; radiculopathy; chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain; radiotherapy-induced neuropathic pain; post-mastectomy pain; central pain; spinal cord injury pain; post-stroke pain; thalamic pain; complex regional pain syndrome; phantom pain; intractable pain; acute pain, acute post-operative pain; acute musculoskeletal pain; joint pain; mechanical low back pain; neck pain; tendonitis; injury/exercise pain; acute visceral pain, including, abdominal pain; pyelonephritis; appendicitis; cholecystitis; intestinal obstruction; hernias; etc; chest pain, including, cardiac pain; pelvic pain, renal colic pain, acute obstetric pain, including, labor pain; cesarean section pain; acute inflammatory, burn and trauma pain; acute intermittent pain, including, endometriosis; acute herpes zoster pain; sickle cell anemia; acute pancreatitis; breakthrough pain; orofacial pain including sinusitis pain, dental pain; multiple sclerosis (MS) pain; pain in depression; leprosy pain; Behcet's disease pain; adiposis dolorosa; phlebitic pain; Guillain-Barre pain; painful legs and moving toes; Haglund syndrome; erythromelalgia pain; Fabry's disease pain; bladder and urogenital disease, including, urinary incontinence; hyperactivity bladder; painful bladder syndrome; interstitial cyctitis (IC); or prostatitis; complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), type I and type II; or angina-induced pain.

Exemplary compounds of the present invention are shown below in Table 2.

TABLE 2 1 2

3 4

5 6

7 8

9 10

11

The compounds of the present invention may be prepared readily using methods known in the art. Illustrated below in Scheme 1 through Scheme 6 are methods for preparing the compounds of the present invention.

Uses, Formulation and Administration

Pharmaceutically Acceptable Compositions

As discussed above, the present invention provides compounds that are inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium ion channels, and thus the present compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions including, but not limited to acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, and incontinence. Accordingly, in another aspect of the present invention, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions are provided, wherein these compositions comprise any of the compounds as described herein, and optionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle. In certain embodiments, these compositions optionally further comprise one or more additional therapeutic agents.

It will also be appreciated that certain of the compounds of present invention can exist in free form for treatment, or where appropriate, as a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof. According to the present invention, a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative includes, but is not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, salts of such esters, or any other adduct or derivative which upon administration to a subject in need is capable of providing, directly or indirectly, a compound as otherwise described herein, or a metabolite or residue thereof.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to those salts which are, within the scope of sound medical judgement, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response and the like, and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. A “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means any non-toxic salt or salt of an ester of a compound of this invention that, upon administration to a recipient, is capable of providing, either directly or indirectly, a compound of this invention or an inhibitorily active metabolite or residue thereof. As used herein, the term “inhibitorily active metabolite or residue thereof” means that a metabolite or residue thereof is also an inhibitor of a voltage-gated sodium ion channel.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known in the art. For example, S. M. Berge, et al. describe pharmaceutically acceptable salts in detail in J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1977, 66, 1-19, incorporated herein by reference. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include those derived from suitable inorganic and organic acids and bases. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other methods used in the art such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Salts derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium and N⁺(C₁₋₄alkyl)₄ salts. This invention also envisions the quatemization of any basic nitrogen-containing groups of the compounds disclosed herein. Water or oil-soluble or dispersable products may be obtained by such quatemization. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, loweralkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

As described above, the pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of the present invention additionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, or vehicle, which, as used herein, includes any and all solvents, diluents, or other liquid vehicle, dispersion or suspension aids, surface active agents, isotonic agents, thickening or emulsifying agents, preservatives, solid binders, lubricants and the like, as suited to the particular dosage form desired. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sixteenth Edition, E. W. Martin (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1980) discloses various carriers used in formulating pharmaceutically acceptable compositions and known techniques for the preparation thereof. Except insofar as any conventional carrier medium is incompatible with the compounds of the invention, such as by producing any undesirable biological effect or otherwise interacting in a deleterious manner with any other component(s) of the pharmaceutically acceptable composition, its use is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention. Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin, serum proteins, such as human serum albumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, or potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, water, salts or electrolytes, such as protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers, wool fat, sugars such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches such as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipients such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil; safflower oil; sesame oil; olive oil; corn oil and soybean oil; glycols; such a propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol; esters such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; agar; buffering agents such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; Ringer's solution; ethyl alcohol, and phosphate buffer solutions, as well as other non-toxic compatible lubricants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasing agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition, according to the judgment of the formulator.

Uses of Compounds and Pharmaceutically Acceptable Compositions

In yet another aspect, a method for the treatment or lessening the severity of acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, dipolar disorder, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, incontinence, visceral pain, osteoarthritis pain, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head or neck pain, severe or intractable pain, nociceptive pain, breakthrough pain, postsurgical pain, or cancer pain is provided comprising administering an effective amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising a compound to a subject in need thereof.

In certain embodiments, a method of treatment or lessening the severity of stroke, cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stress- or exercise induced angina, palpitations, hypertension, migraine, or abormal gastro-intestinal motility is provided comprising administering an effective amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising a compound to a subject in need thereof.

In certain embodiments, a method for the treatment or lessening the severity of acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain is provided comprising administering an effective amount of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition to a subject in need thereof. In certain other embodiments, a method for the treatment or lessening the severity of radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head pain, or neck pain is provided comprising administering an effective amount of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition to a subject in need thereof. In still other embodiments, a method for the treatment or lessening the severity of severe or intractable pain, acute pain, postsurgical pain, back pain, tinnitis or cancer pain is provided comprising administering an effective amount of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition to a subject in need thereof.

In certain embodiments, a method for the treatment or lessening the severity of femur cancer pain; non-malignant chronic bone pain; rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis; spinal stenosis; neuropathic low back pain; neuropathic low back pain; myofascial pain syndrome; fibromyalgia; temporomandibular joint pain; chronic visceral pain, including, abdominal; pancreatic; IBS pain; chronic and acute headache pain; migraine; tension headache, including, cluster headaches; chronic and acute neuropathic pain, including, post-herpetic neuralgia; diabetic neuropathy; HIV-associated neuropathy; trigeminal neuralgia; Charcot-Marie Tooth neuropathy; hereditary sensory neuropathies; peripheral nerve injury; painful neuromas; ectopic proximal and distal discharges; radiculopathy; chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain; radiotherapy-induced neuropathic pain; post-mastectomy pain; central pain; spinal cord injury pain; post-stroke pain; thalamic pain; complex regional pain syndrome; phantom pain; intractable pain; acute pain, acute post-operative pain; acute musculoskeletal pain; joint pain; mechanical low back pain; neck pain; tendonitis; injury/exercise pain; acute visceral pain, including, abdominal pain; pyelonephritis; appendicitis; cholecystitis; intestinal obstruction; hernias; etc; chest pain, including, cardiac Pain; pelvic pain, renal colic pain, acute obstetric pain, including, labor pain; cesarean section pain; acute inflammatory, burn and trauma pain; acute intermittent pain, including, endometriosis; acute herpes zoster pain; sickle cell anemia; acute pancreatitis; breakthrough pain; orofacial pain including sinusitis pain, dental pain; multiple sclerosis (MS) pain; pain in depression; leprosy pain; behcet's disease pain; adiposis dolorosa; phlebitic pain; Guillain-Barre pain; painful legs and moving toes; Haglund syndrome; erythromelalgia pain; Fabry's disease pain; bladder and urogenital disease, including, urinary incontinence; hyperactivity bladder; painful bladder syndrome; interstitial cyctitis (IC); or prostatitis; complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), type I and type II; angina-induced pain is provided, comprising administering an effective amount of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition to a subject in need thereof.

In certain embodiments of the present invention an “effective amount” of the compound or pharmaceutically acceptable composition is that amount effective for treating or lessening the severity of one or more of acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, incontinence, visceral pain, osteoarthritis pain, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head or neck pain, severe or intractable pain, nociceptive pain, breakthrough pain, postsurgical pain, tinnitis or cancer pain.

The compounds and compositions, according to the method of the present invention, may be administered using any amount and any route of administration effective for treating or lessening the severity of one or more of acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, incontinence, visceral pain, osteoarthritis pain, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head or neck pain, severe or intractable pain, nociceptive pain, breakthrough pain, postsurgical pain, tinnitis or cancer pain. The exact amount required will vary from subject to subject, depending on the species, age, and general condition of the subject, the severity of the infection, the particular agent, its mode of administration, and the like. The compounds of the invention are preferably formulated in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. The expression “dosage unit form” as used herein refers to a physically discrete unit of agent appropriate for the subject to be treated. It will be understood, however, that the total daily usage of the compounds and compositions of the present invention will be decided by the attending physician within the scope of sound medical judgment. The specific effective dose level for any particular subject or organism will depend upon a variety of factors including the disorder being treated and the severity of the disorder; the activity of the specific compound employed; the specific composition employed; the age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the subject; the time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion of the specific compound employed; the duration of the treatment; drugs used in combination or coincidental with the specific compound employed, and like factors well known in the medical arts. The term “subject”, as used herein, means an animal, preferably a mammal, and most preferably a human.

The pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of this invention can be administered to humans and other animals orally, rectally, parenterally, intracisternally, intravaginally, intraperitoneally, topically (as by powders, ointments, or drops), bucally, as an oral or nasal spray, or the like, depending on the severity of the infection being treated. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention may be administered orally or parenterally at dosage levels of about 0.01 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg and preferably from about 1 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg, of subject body weight per day, one or more times a day, to obtain the desired therapeutic effect.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. In addition to the active compounds, the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, dimethylformamide, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution, suspension or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectables.

The injectable formulations can be sterilized, for example, by filtration through a bacterial-retaining filter, or by incorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions which can be dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectable medium prior to use.

In order to prolong the effect of a compound of the present invention, it is often desirable to slow the absorption of the compound from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. This may be accomplished by the use of a liquid suspension of crystalline or amorphous material with poor water solubility. The rate of absorption of the compound then depends upon its rate of dissolution that, in turn, may depend upon crystal size and crystalline form. Alternatively, delayed absorption of a parenterally administered compound form is accomplished by dissolving or suspending the compound in an oil vehicle. Injectable depot forms are made by forming microencapsule matrices of the compound in biodegradable polymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide. Depending upon the ratio of compound to polymer and the nature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of compound release can be controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymers include poly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides). Depot injectable formulations are also prepared by entrapping the compound in liposomes or microemulsions that are compatible with body tissues.

Compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferably suppositories which can be prepared by mixing the compounds of this invention with suitable non-irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol or a suppository wax which are solid at ambient temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the active compound is mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate and/or a) fillers or extenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid, b) binders such as, for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, sucrose, and acacia, c) humectants such as glycerol, d) disintegrating agents such as agar—agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate, e) solution retarding agents such as paraffin, f) absorption accelerators such as quaternary ammonium compounds, g) wetting agents such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, h) absorbents such as kaolin and bentonite clay, and i) lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and mixtures thereof In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage form may also comprise buffering agents.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be used include polymeric substances and waxes. Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polethylene glycols and the like.

The active compounds can also be in microencapsulated form with one or more excipients as noted above. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings, release controlling coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. In such solid dosage forms the active compound may be admixed with at least one inert diluent such as sucrose, lactose or starch. Such dosage forms may also comprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than inert diluents, e.g., tableting lubricants and other tableting aids such a magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be used include polymeric substances and waxes.

Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of a compound of this invention include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants or patches. The active component is admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required. Ophthalmic formulation, eardrops, and eye drops are also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention. Additionally, the present invention contemplates the use of transdermal patches, which have the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of a compound to the body. Such dosage forms are prepared by dissolving or dispensing the compound in the proper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate can be controlled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or by dispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel.

As described generally above, the compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium ion channels. In one embodiment, the compounds and compositions of the invention are inhibitors of one or more of NaV1.1 or NaV1.3, and thus, without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, the compounds and compositions are particularly useful for treating or lessening the severity of a disease, condition, or disorder where activation or hyperactivity of one or more of NaV1.1 or NaV1.3 is implicated in the disease, condition, or disorder. When activation or hyperactivity of NaV1.1 or NaV1.3 is implicated in a particular disease, condition, or disorder, the disease, condition, or disorder may also be referred to as a “NaV1.1 or NaV1.3-mediated disease, condition or disorder”. Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating or lessening the severity of a disease, condition, or disorder where activation or hyperactivity of one or more of NaV1.1 or NaV1.3 is implicated in the disease state.

The activity of a compound utilized in this invention as an inhibitor of NaV1.1 or NaV1.3 may be assayed according to methods described generally in the Examples herein, or according to methods available to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In certain exemplary embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.3 and/or NaV1.1.

It will also be appreciated that the compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of the present invention can be employed in combination therapies, that is, the compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions can be administered concurrently with, prior to, or subsequent to, one or more other desired therapeutics or medical procedures. The particular combination of therapies (therapeutics or procedures) to employ in a combination regimen will take into account compatibility of the desired therapeutics and/or procedures and the desired therapeutic effect to be achieved. It will also be appreciated that the therapies employed may achieve a desired effect for the same disorder (for example, an inventive compound may be administered concurrently with another agent used to treat the same disorder), or they may achieve different effects (e.g., control of any adverse effects). As used herein, additional therapeutic agents that are normally administered to treat or prevent a particular disease, or condition, are known as “appropriate for the disease, or condition, being treated”. For example, exemplary additional therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to: nonopioid analgesics (indoles such as Etodolac, Indomethacin, Sulindac, Tolmetin; naphthylalkanones such sa Nabumetone; oxicams such as Piroxicam; para-aminophenol derivatives, such as Acetaminophen; propionic acids such as Fenoprofen, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Naproxen, Naproxen sodium, Oxaprozin; salicylates such as Asprin, Choline magnesium trisalicylate, Diflunisal; fenamates such as meclofenamic acid, Mefenamic acid; and pyrazoles such as Phenylbutazone); or opioid (narcotic) agonists (such as Codeine, Fentanyl, Hydromorphone, Levorphanol, Meperidine, Methadone, Morphine, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Propoxyphene, Buprenorphine, Butorphanol, Dezocine, Nalbuphine, and Pentazocine). Additionally, nondrug analgesic approaches may be utilized in conjunction with administration of one or more compounds of the invention. For example, anesthesiologic (intraspinal infusion, neural blocade), neurosurgical (neurolysis of CNS pathways), neurostimulatory (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, dorsal column stimulation), physiatric (physical therapy, orthotic devices, diathermy), or psychologic (cognitive methods-hypnosis, biofeedback, or behavioral methods) approaches may also be utilized. Additional appropriate therapeutic agents or approaches are described generally in The Merck Manual, Seventeenth Edition, Ed. Mark H. Beers and Robert Berkow, Merck Research Laboratories, 1999, and the Food and Drug Administration website, www.fda.gov, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The amount of additional therapeutic agent present in the compositions of this invention will be no more than the amount that would normally be administered in a composition comprising that therapeutic agent as the only active agent. Preferably the amount of additional therapeutic agent in the presently disclosed compositions will range from about 50% to 100% of the amount normally present in a composition comprising that agent as the only therapeutically active agent.

The compounds of this invention or pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof may also be incorporated into compositions for coating an implantable medical device, such as prostheses, artificial valves, vascular grafts, stents and catheters. Accordingly, the present invention, in another aspect, includes a composition for coating an implantable device comprising a compound of the present invention as described generally above, and in classes and subclasses herein, and a carrier suitable for coating said implantable device. In still another aspect, the present invention includes an implantable device coated with a composition comprising a compound of the present invention as described generally above, and in classes and subclasses herein, and a carrier suitable for coating said implantable device. Suitable coatings and the general preparation of coated implantable devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,099,562; 5,886,026; and 5,304,121. The coatings are typically biocompatible polymeric materials such as a hydrogel polymer, polymethyldisiloxane, polycaprolactone, polyethylene glycol, polylactic acid, ethylene vinyl acetate, and mixtures thereof. The coatings may optionally be further covered by a suitable topcoat of fluorosilicone, polysaccarides, polyethylene glycol, phospholipids or combinations thereof to impart controlled release characteristics in the composition.

Another aspect of the invention relates to inhibiting one or more of NaV1.1 or NaV1.3 activity in a biological sample or a subject, which method comprises administering to the subject, or contacting said biological sample with a compound of formula I or a composition comprising said compound. The term “biological sample”, as used herein, includes, without limitation, cell cultures or extracts thereof, biopsied material obtained from a mammal or extracts thereof, and blood, saliva, urine, feces, semen, tears, or other body fluids or extracts thereof.

Inhibition of one or more of NaV1.1 or NaV1.3 activity in a biological sample is useful for a variety of purposes that are known to one of skill in the art. Examples of such purposes include, but are not limited to, the study of sodium ion channels in biological and pathological phenomena; and the comparative evaluation of new sodium ion channel inhibitors.

EXAMPLES

General methods. ¹H NMR (400 MHz) and ¹³C NMR (100 MHz) spectra were obtained as solutions in deuterochloroform (CDCl₃) or dimethyl sulfoxide-D₆ (DMSO). Mass spectra (MS) were obtained using an Applied Biosystems API EX LC/MS system equipped with a Phenomenex 50×4.60 mm luna-5 μ C18 column. The LC/MS eluting system was 10-99% acetonitrile in H₂O with 0.035% v/v trifluoroacetic acid using a 4.5 minute linear gradient and a flow rate of 4.0 mL/minute. Silica gel chromatography was performed using silica gel-60 with a particle size of 230-400 mesh. Pyridine, dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂), tetrahydrofuran (THF), were from Aldrich (Sure-Seal bottles kept under dry nitrogen). All reactions were stirred magnetically unless otherwise noted. Unless specified otherwise, all temperatures refer to internal reaction temperatures.

Route 1

1-(2,3-Dimethoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

A solution of maleic anhydride (2.00 g, 20.4 mmol) in anhydrous THF (20 mL) under nitrogen was treated dropwise with a solution of veratrylamine (3.0 mL, 20.4 mmol) in anhydrous THF (7.5 mL) over 15 min at room temperature, then the reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 3.5 h, cooled to RT and subsequently stirred at RT for 16 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo, suspended in acetic anhydride (25 mL), treated with sodium acetate (1.09 g, 13.3 mmol), and heated at 100° C. with stirring under nitrogen for 3 h. After cooling to room temperature the reaction mixture was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in DCM (100 mL), washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (2×50 mL) and water (50 mL), dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. Purification by silica gel chromatography (20-60% EtOAc in hexane) afforded the product as a yellow-white solid (1.24 g, 25%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.07 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 2H), 6.88 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.84 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.73 (dd, J=2.0, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.52 (s, 2H), 3.33 (s, 6H). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA), m/z: M+1 obs=248.5; t_(R)=1.10 min.

3-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-1-(2,3-dimethoxybenzyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione

A solution of μ-dichlorotetraethylenedirhodium(I) (20 mg, 0.05 mmol, 5 mol % Rh) and racemic BINAP (69 mg, 0.11 mmol, 5.5 mol %) in 1,4-dioxane (5 mL) was stirred for 15 min at room temperature under nitrogen. KOH (1.01 mL, 1.01 mmol, 1.0 M aqueous) was added, and the resulting solution was stirred for 6 min at room temperature. After addition of 3,5-dichlorophenylboronic acid (1.16 g, 6.01 mmol) and stirring for 6 min, this mixture was transferred to a Schlenk-flask containing 1-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)maleimide (500 mg, 2.02 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (5 mL) under nitrogen. The resulting mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 40 min. After cooling to RT, the crude reaction mixture was concentrated. Purification by silica gel chromatography (20-60% ethyl acetate in hexanes) afforded the product as a yellow-white solid (690 mg, 87%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.56 (t, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 2H), 6.89 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (dd, J=1.9, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.54 (s, 2H), 4.33 (dd, J=5.6, 9.4 Hz, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.20 (dd, J=9.4, 18.0 Hz, 1H), 2.91-2.99 (m, 1H). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA), m/z: M+1 obs=394.1; t_(R)=1.81 min.

3-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-1-(2,3-dimethoxybenzyl)pyrrolidine

To a solution of lithium aluminum hydride in THF (1.0 M, 26.5 mL, 26.5 mmol) under nitrogen at below 5° C. was slowly added a solution of 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1-(2,3-dimethoxybenzyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione (1.49 g, 3.78 mmol) over 20 min. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 20 min. After cooling to 0° C. the reaction mixture was quenched by careful addition of water (5 mL), diluted with ethyl acetate (20 mL) and filtered over a pad of Celite. The filter cake was rinsed with additional ethyl acetate (400 mL), and the filtrate was concentrated. Purification by silica gel chromatography (20-100% ethyl acetate in hexanes) afforded the product as a yellow oil (511 mg, 37%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.40 (s, 1H), 7.40 (dd, J=1.9, 11.1 Hz, 2H), 6.93 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 6.87 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (dd, J=1.7, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.62-3.65 (m, 1H), 3.45-3.48 (m, 1H), 3.30-3.35 (m, 1H), 2.80 (td, J=8.8, 4.4 Hz, 1H), 2.73-2.69 (m, 1H), 2.55-2.46 (m, 2H), 2.31-2.22 (m, 1H), 1.77-1.68 (m, 1H). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA), m/z: M+1 obs=366.1; t_(R)=1.34 min.

3-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine

To a mixture of 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1-(2,3-dimethoxybenzyl)pyrrolidine (390 mg, 1.07 mmol) and potassium carbonate (324 mg, 2.34 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (15 mL) at 0° C. under nitrogen was added 1-chloroethyl chloroformate (0.26 mL, 2.34 mmol) dropwise. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 2 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered. The filtrate was concentrated, dissolved in anhydrous methanol (15 mL) and heated to reflux for 1 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was concentrated. Water (50 mL) and diethyl ether (50 mL) were added to the residue, the phases were separated, and the aqueous phase was washed with additional ether (2×50 mL). Aqueous saturated NaHCO₃ (50 mL) was added to the aqueous phase, which was then extracted with DCM (3×75 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated to afford the product as a green oil (192 mg, 83%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.38 (s,1H), 7.34 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 2H), 3.72 (s, 1H), 3.20-3.10 (m, 2H), 3.00-2.94 (m, 1H), 2.87-2.80 (m, 1H), 2.68-2.59 (m, 1H), 2.17-2.09 (m, 1H), 1.68-1.59 (m, 1H). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA), m/z: M+1 obs=216.3; t_(R)=1.00 min.

Route 2

To a stirred solution of the aniline (45 mmol) in water (15 ml) and conc. HCl (12.2 mL, 148.5 mmol) at −5° C. was added a freshly prepared aqueous solution of sodium nitrite (4.04 g, 59 mmol) in water (8 mL) slowly over 10 minutes. After stirring for 15 minutes at −5° C. a freshly prepared aqueous solution of sodium tetrafluoroborate (6.92 g, 63 mmol) in water (14 mL) was added in one portion causing the formation of a precipitate. The solid was filtered and washed with cold (5° C.) diethyl ether (10 mL). The solid was dissolved in acetone (15 mL) and filtered. To the filtrate was added diethyl ether (15 mL) causing the precipitation of the arenediazonium tetrafluoroborate. The solid was filtered, washed with cold (5° C.) diethyl ether (5 mL) and then air dried to provide the product as a white solid.

4-Chloro-3-methylbenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate

Synthesized according to General Procedure 1. 4-chloro-3-methylaniline (5 g, 35.3 mmol) in water (15 mL) and conc. HCl (9.5 mL, 116.5 mmol) at −5° C. was added a freshly prepared aqueous solution of sodium nitrite (3.2 g, 45.9 mmol) in water (8 mL) slowly over 10 minutes. After stirring for 15 minutes at −5° C. a freshly prepared aqueous solution of sodium tetrafluoroborate (5.4 g, 49.4 mmol) in water (14 mL) was added in one portion causing the formation of a precipitate. The solid was filtered and washed with cold (5° C.) diethyl ether (10 mL). The solid was dissolved in acetone (15 mL) and filtered. To the filtrate was added diethyl ether (15 mL) causing the precipitation of the arenediazonium tetrafluoroborate. The solid was filtered, washed with cold (5° C.) diethyl ether (5 mL) and then air dried overnight to provide 4-chloro-3-methylbenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate (8.07 g, 33.6 mmol, 95% yield) as a tan solid. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 8.68 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.56 (dd, J=2.4, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H) and 3.47 (s, 3H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA), m/z: M+1 obs=125.0; t_(R)=0.24 min.

To a stirred solution of tert-butyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-1-carboxylate (12 mmol) and palladium(II) acetate (5-10 mol %) in methanol (100 mL) under N₂ at 5° C. (crushed ice/water bath) was added the aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborate (1-1.5 eq.) as a solid. The resulting dark solution was allowed to warm to RT and then filtered through a plug of Celite, and the filter cake was washed with ethyl acetate (100 mL). The filtrate was further diluted with ethyl acetate (150 mL), and washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (2×150 mL), brine (150 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄ and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure, and used as the crude product, or absorbed onto silica gel and purified by silica gel chromatography (1-10% ethyl acetate in hexane).

tert-butyl 4-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenyl)-2-methoxypyrrolidine-1-carboxylate

Synthesized according to General Procedure 2. To a stirred solution of tert-butyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-1-carboxylate (2.5 g, 14.8 mmol) in methanol (75 mL) under N₂ at RT was added 4-chloro-3-methylbenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate (5.3 g, 22.2 mmol), followed by the addition of palladium(II) acetate (336 mg, 1.50 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred at RT for 1 hour, diluted with ethyl acetate (375 mL) and partitioned with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution (150 mL). The organic layer was removed and washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution (150 mL), brine (150 mL), dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dried under vacuum to afford tert-butyl 4-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-2-methoxypyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (4.25 g, 13.0 mmol, 88% yield) as a brown oil. The crude product was used without any further purification in the next reaction step. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.35-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.16 (dd, J=1.9, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.20-5.05 (m, 1H), 3.70-3.63 (m, 1H), 3.54-3.45 (m, 1H), 3.28 (s, 3H), 3.21-3.10 (m, 1H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.10-1.98 (m, 2H) and 1.47 (s, 9H) ppm.

tert-Butyl 4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-methoxypyrrolidine-1-carboxylate

Synthesized according to General Procedure 2. To a stirred solution of tert-butyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-1-carboxylate (10.0 g, 0.059 mol) and palladium(II) acetate (0.675 g, 3.0 mmol) in MeOH (300 mL) under N₂ at 5° C. (crushed ice/water bath) was added 3,5-dichlorophenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate (17.72 g, 0.068 mol) as a solid in 3 g portions over 60 minutes. The resulting dark solution was allowed to warm to RT and then filtered through a plug of Celite, and the filter cake was washed with ethyl acetate (500 mL). The filtrate was further diluted with ethyl acetate (500 mL), and washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (2×500 mL), brine (500 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄ and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was further dried under vacuum to constant weight to provide 22 g of a dark oil as the crude product. The material was absorbed onto silica gel and purified by silica gel chromatography (1-10% ethyl acetate in hexane) to afford tert-butyl-4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-methoxypyrrolidine-1-carboxylate as a clear reddish oil (16.37 g, 0.047 mol, 80% yield). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.31-7.22 (m, 1H), 7.14 (s, 2H), 5.35-5.10 (m, 1H), 3.81 (dd, J=8.5, 10.3 Hz, 1H), 3.72-3.60 (m, 1H), 3.45-3.39 (m, 3H), 3.31-3.22 (m, 1H), 2.25 (dd, J=5.9, 12.5 Hz, 1H), 1.96 (td, J=12.5, 5.8 Hz, 1H) and 1.51 (s, 9H) ppm.

To a stirred solution of tert-butyl 4-(aryl)-2-methoxypyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (12 mmol) in acetic acid (50 mL) under N₂ at 0° C. was added sodium borohydride (2-4 eq.) in portions over 20 minutes. The resulting solution was allowed to warm to RT and then stirred at RT for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was slowly poured into 2M aqueous NaOH solution (500 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×250 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered through a pad of Celite and then concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the product.

tert-Butyl 3-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate

Synthesized according to General Procedure 3. To a stirred solution of crude tert-butyl 4-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-2-methoxypyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (4.25 g, 13.0 mmol) in acetic acid (50 mL) under N₂ at 0° C. was added sodium borohydride (2.2 g, 58.7 mmol) in portions over 20 minutes. The resulting solution was allowed to warm to RT and then stirred at RT for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was slowly poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (250 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×200 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford tert-butyl-3-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (3.75 g, 12.67 mmol, 97% yield) as a brown oil. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.33 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (s, 1H), 7.14-7.03 (m, 1H), 3.68 (t, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.48-3.42 (m, 1H), 3.32-3.10 (m, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.17-2.15 (m, 1H), 1.78-1.73 (m, 1H) and 1.42 (s, 9H) ppm.

tert-Butyl 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate

Synthesized according to General procedure 3. To a stirred solution of tert-butyl 4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-methoxypyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (20 g, 0.058 mol) in acetic acid (200 mL) under N₂ at 0° C. was added sodium borohydride (4.37 g, 0.116 mol) in portions over 20 minutes. The resulting solution was allowed to warm to RT and then stirred at RT for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was slowly poured into 2 M aqueous NaOH solution (500 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×500 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered through a pad of Celite and then concentrated under reduced pressure to afford tert-butyl-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate as a brown oil (18.3 g, 0.058 mol, 100% yield). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.28-7.24 (m, 1H), 7.13 (d, J=1.3 Hz, 2H), 3.80-3.76 (m, 1H), 3.65 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.56 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 3.46-3.39 (m, 1H), 3.35-3.23 (m, 1H), 2.27 (d, J=4.3 Hz, 1H), 2.01-1.93 (m, 1H) and 1.51 (s, 9H) ppm.

A solution of hydrogen chloride in 1,4-dioxane (4M, 15 mL, 0.060 mol, 5 eq.) was added to tert-butyl-3-(aryl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (0.012 mol) and the resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction mixture was slowly poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (150 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×100 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by silica gel chromatography (1-25% MeOH in DCM) afforded the product.

3-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenyl)pyrrolidine

Synthesized according to General Procedure 4. A solution of HCl in 1,4-dioxane (4M, 14.7 mL, 58.7 mmol) was added to tert-butyl-3-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (3.75 g, 12.7 mmol) and the resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction mixture was slowly poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (300 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×250 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide (5 g) of a brown oil as the crude 3-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)pyrrolidine. The crude oil was purified by silica gel chromatography (1-25% MeOH in dichloromethane) to afford 3-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)pyrrolidine (2.17 g, 11.1 mmol, 85% yield) as an amber oil. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.30 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 1H), 7.17-7.04 (m, 1H), 4.63 (s, 1H), 3.72-3.66 (m, 1H), 3.52-3.42 (m, 1H), 3.23-3.18 (m, 1H), 3.10 (t, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 2.69-2.62 (m, 1H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.22 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H) and 1.69-1.65 (m, 1H) ppm.

3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine oxalate

Synthesized according to General Procedure 4. A solution of HCl in 1,4-dioxane (4M, 32.5 mL, 0. 130 mol) was added to tert-butyl-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (18.3 g, 0.058 mol) and the resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction mixture was slowly poured into aqueous 2 M NaOH solution (500 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×500 mL). The combined organic extracts were then dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide crude 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine (12.48 g, 0.058 mol, 100% yield)) as a brown oil. The crude material was dissolved in MeOH (39 mL) and treated with oxalic acid (5.2 g, 0.058 mol) in one portion. The resulting solution was allowed to stand at RT for 30 minutes, the precipitated solid was filtered off, washed with diethyl ether (2×50 mL) and then dried under vacuum to constant weight to provide 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine oxalate as an off-white solid (12.4 g, 0.041 mol, 70% yield). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.52 (t, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 2H), 3.62 (dd, J=8.2, 11.0 Hz, 1H), 3.53-3.30 (m, 2H), 3.26-3.08 (m, 2H), 2.40-2.33 (m, 1H) and 2.00-1.90 (m, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA), m/z: M+1 obs=216.3; t_(R)=1.00 min.

(R)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine (R)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate

3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine oxalate (471.6 g, 1.54 mol) was dissolved in 2 M aqueous NaOH solution (1000 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×350 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure to provide the free base of (R)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine (325.4 g, 98%) as a clear amber oil. A 5 L round bottom flask was fitted with a mechanical stirrer, a heating mantle, a J-Kem temperature probe/controller, a water cooled reflux condenser and a nitrogen inlet/outlet. The vessel was charged with 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine (100 g, 0.46 mol) and 2-propanol (800 mL, 8 mL/g) under a nitrogen atmosphere at RT. (2R)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetic acid (70.4 g, 0.46 mol) was added as a solid in one portion, and the resulting solution was stirred for 5 min when a solid began to form. The suspension was heated at 85° C. for 5 min and then allowed to slowly cool to RT. The solid was filtered, washed with 2-propanol (2×250 mL) and dried under high vacuum. Repeated recrystallization of this salt (8×) in 2-propanol (1 mL/g) afforded (R)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine (R)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate (30 g, 18%) in >96% ee. Absolute configuration was assigned based on X-ray analysis. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.50 (t, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.42-7.38 (m, 5H), 7.26-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.16 (dd, J=5.2, 9.3 Hz, 1H), 4.61 (s, 1H), 3.51 (dd, J=8.2, 10.9 Hz, 1H), 3.44-3.27 (m, 2H), 3.15-3.01 (m, 3H), 2.50 (t, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 2.32-2.24 (m, 1H) and 1.91-1.81 (m, 1H) ppm. Chiral HPLC (Astec Chirobiotic, (25 cm×4.6 mm), 100% MeOH (0.1% TEA, 0.1% HOAc), 1.2 mL/min): t_(R)=33.9 min (S), 34.9 min. (R).

Route 3

(S)-3-(tert-Butyldiphenylsilyloxy)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one

To a stirred solution of (S)-3-hydroxydihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (5.24 g, 51.4 mmol), imidazole (3.8 g, 56 mmol), and THF (70 mL) at 0° C., under N₂, was added t-butyldiphenylsilyl chloride (11.8 g, 43 mmol) dropwise. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 6 hours. TBME (150 mL) was added and the solution was washed with water (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to afford (S)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (13.9 g, 95%) as a slightly yellow oil. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.84-0.82 (m, 2H), 7.73-7.71 (m, 2H), 7.50-7.40 (m, 6H), 4.41-4.31 (m, 2H), 4.06-4.00 (m, 1H), 2.29-2.19 (m, 2H), 1.10 (s, 9H).

To a stirred suspension of the aniline (1.3 mmol) and DCM (5.5 mL) under N₂, at 0° C., was added a solution of trimethylaluminum in hexane (2.0 M, 1.3 mmol) dropwise over 20 minutes. The solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 minutes. The solution was cooled to 0° C. followed by the dropwise addition of 3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (1 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (1.0 mL) over 30 minutes. The solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 19 hours. The solution was cooled to 0° C. and aqueous 1.0 M HCl was added dropwise. The organic portion was washed with 1.0 M aqueous HCl (2×1.0 mL) and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatographyy to obtain the desired amide.

(S)-2-(tert-Butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-4-hydroxy-N-[(4-(N-thiazol-2-ylsulfamoyl)phenyl)]butanamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 5. The reaction was set up with sulfathiazole (11.2 g, 44 mmol), CH₂Cl₂ (150 mL), trimethylaluminum (2.0 M in hexanes, 22 mL, 44 mmol), and (S)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (12.6 g, 37 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL). Purification by silica gel chromatography (10% MeOH in DCM) afforded the desired amide as a white solid (22 g, 84% yield). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 8.73 (s, 1H), 7.76 (dd, J=1.8, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.59-7.53 (m, 4H), 7.44-7.28 (m, 8H), 7.09 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.46 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 4.34 (dd, J=4.1, 6.7 Hz, 1H), 3.64-3.59(m, 1H), 3.54 (dd, J=6.1, 11.4 Hz, 1H), 1.99-1.91 (m, 1H), 1.81-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.10 (s, 9H). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=596.5; t_(R)=1.93 min.

Method A

To a stirred solution of di-tert-butyl-azodicarboxylate (3.0 eq., 3.0 mmol) and THF (2.0 mL), under N₂, at 0° C., was added tributylphosphine (3.0 eq., 3.0 mmol), dropwise over 5 minutes. The colorless solution was stirred at 0° C. for 30 minutes. A solution of amidoalcohol (1.0 eq., 1.0 mmol) in THF (0.60 mL) was added dropwise over 5 minutes. The solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hours. To this solution was added H₂O (40 μL) and the solution was evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography to give the desired lactam.

Method B

The alcohol (1.0 equivalent, 1.0 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (4.0 mL) was stirred and cooled down to 0° C. To this, a solution of PPh₃ (1.5 equivalents, 1.5 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (0.90 mL) was slowly added followed by the slow addition of CBr₄ (1.5 equivalents, 1.5 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (0.90 mL). On completion of CBr₄ addition, the reaction was maintained at 0° C. for 5 min. The ice bath was removed and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 4 h. The reaction was diluted with DCM and the organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (2×) and brine (1×). The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. The crude product was purified by column chromatography (0-100% EtOAc/hexane) to provide the bromide as a pale yellow solid. To a solution of the bromide (1.0 eq., 1.0 mmol) in chloroform (3.5 mL), DBU (2.0 eq., 2.0 mmol) was added and stirred at room temperature under N₂ atmosphere for 1 h. The reaction was diluted with DCM and the organic layer was washed with aqueous 1 N HCl (3×), saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (2×) and brine (1×). The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to provide the desired lactam as a yellow solid.

(S)-4-(3-(tert-Butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 6, Method A. The reaction was set up with di-tert-butyl-azodicarboxylate (1.81 g, 7.88 mmol), THF (15 mL), tributylphosphine (1.59 g, 7.88 mmol), and (S)-2-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-4-hydroxy-N-[(4-(N-thiazol-2-ylsulfamoyl)phenyl)]butanamide (1.56 g, 2.63 mmol). Purification by silica gel chromatography (40% EtOAc in hexanes) afforded the desired lactam as a white solid (1.3 g, 2.3 mmol, 86% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 7.83-7.76 (m, 4H), 7.70 (dd, J=1.9, 7.0 Hz, 2H), 7.65 (dd, J=1.5, 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.39-7.29 (m, 6H), 7.06 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.44 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 4.35 (dd, J=7.9, 9.2 Hz, 1H), 3.67-3.62 (m, 1H), 3.48-3.42 (m, 1H), 2.18-1.98 (m, 2H) 1.11 (s, 9H).

To a solution of the TBDPS ether (1 eq.) in THF (0.5-1 M) under N₂, was added a solution of tetrabutylammonium fluoride in THF (1M, 4 eq.). Upon completion of addition, the mixture was stirred at RT overnight. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×), dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated. Purification by silica gel chromatography gave the desired product.

(S)-4-(3-Hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)]benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 7. To a solution of (S)-4-[(3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl-N-(thiazol-2-yl)]benzene-sulfonamide (1.3 g, 2.25 mmol) in THF (3.9 mL) under N₂, was added a solution of of tetrabutylammonium fluoride in THF (1M, 4.5 mL, 4.5 mmol). Upon completion of addition, the mixture was stirred at RT for 1 h. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×50 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated. Purification by silica gel chromatography (2-10% MeOH in DCM) afforded (S)-4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (0.58 g, 76%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.85 (dd, J=2.1, 6.9 Hz, 4H), 7.25 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 5.83 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 1H), 4.32 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.77 (dd, J=1.9, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.71-3.69 (m, 1H), 2.41-2.38 (m, 1H), 1.84 (dd, J=9.2, 12.3 Hz, 1H). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=340.0; t_(R)=0.54 min.

To a stirred solution of sulfonamide (1 eq.) in DCM or DMF (0.6 M), under N₂, at 5° C. (ice bath) was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1 eq.). To this solution was added the sulfonyl chloride (1 eq.) portionwise over 10 minutes. The solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 20 minutes. To this solution was added MeOH. The mixture was cooled to 5° C. and stirred for 30 minutes. The resulting precipitate was filtered, washed with MeOH, and vacuum dried to afford the desired bissulfonamide.

(S)-4-(3-Hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 8. A solution of (S)-4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (150 mg, 0.44 mmol), 4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride (91 mg, 0.44 mmol) and DIEA (57 mg, 77 μL, 0.44 mmol) in DMF (0.75 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with MeOH (1 mL) and water (10 mL), and the resulting precipitated solid was collected by vacuum filtration. The precipitate was washed with water followed by cold Et₂O to afford the product, (S)-4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (200 mg, 0.3925 mmol) as a white solid. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.86-7.80 (m, 4H), 7.70 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.03-6.98 (m, 3H), 5.88 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 1H), 4.38-4.32 (m, 1H), 3.85-3.77 (m, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.70 (td, J=9.4, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 2.48-2.41 (m, 1H) and 1.92-1.82 (m, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=510.0; t_(R)=1.22 min.

To a solution of the alcohol (1.0 mmol, 1 eq.) in DCM (3 mL) at −20 to −40° C. under nitrogen was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (3.0 mmol, 3 eq.), followed by trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (1.2-1.5 mmol, 1.2-1.5 eq.). The reaction was stirred for 1 h, keeping the temperature between −20 and −40° C. A solution of the amine (1-1.5 mmol, 1-1.5 eq.) in dichloromethane (1.5 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was kept at this temperature until complete conversion was achieved based on LC/MS analysis. Morpholine (2.0 mmol, 2 eq.) was added dropwise at this temperature, and the reaction mixture was allowed to slowly warm up to RT and poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (25 mL). The phases were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with DCM (2×25 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. Purification by silica gel chromatography (2-5% MeOH in DCM) afforded the product.

4-[(3S,3′R)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl)]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide and 4-[(3R,3′R)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl)]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 9. To a suspension of the (S)-4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (150 mg, 0.29 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) under nitrogen at −20 to −30° C. was added DIEA (114 mg, 154 μL, 0.88 mmol) followed by dropwise addition of triflic anhydride (125 mg, 74 μL, 0.44 mmol). After stirring for 30 min at this temperature a solution of 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine (64 mg, 0.29 mmol) in DCM (1 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was continued to stir at −20 to −30° C. for 1 h. Morpholine (51 mg, 51 μL, 0.59 mmol) was added, and the reaction mixture was stirred for additional 20 min. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to RT and poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (25 mL), the phases were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with DCM (2×25 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. Purification by silica gel chromatography (0-5% MeOH in DCM) afforded the product (63 mg, 40%) as an off-white solid. Chiral separation by SFC (Chiralpak AS-H column (2×25 cm), 50% methanol (0.1% DEA)/CO₂, 50 mL/min)) afforded both diastereomers with >98% de. Absolute configuration at C-3 (pyrrolidine) was assigned based on an independent synthesis with enantiomerically enriched (S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine that afforded the second peak to elute (SFC-analysis).

(3R,3′R): ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.84 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.80 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.25 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.84-3.73 (m, 2H), 3.65-3.60 (m, 1H), 3.39-3.25 (m, 1H), 3.14 (td, J=8.6, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 2.74 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 2.65 (dd, J=6.4, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 2.32-2.20 (m, 2H), 2.12-1.99 (m, 1H), and 1.79-1.71 (m, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=537.3; t_(R)=1.30 min. SFC (Chiralpak AS-H, (0.46×25 cm), 50% methanol (0.1% DEA)/CO₂, 3 mL/min): t_(R)=6.60 min.

(3S,3′R): ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.84-7.77 (m, 4H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 3H), 7.24 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.83-3.72 (m, 2H), 3.58 (t, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.07-2.96 (m, 3H), 2.87 (td, J=8.6, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 2.34-2.20 (m, 2H), 2.11-2.02 (m, 1H) and 1.74 (dt, J=19.9, 6.9 Hz, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=537.3; t_(R)=1.30 min. SFC (Chiralpak AS-H, (0.46×25 cm), 50% methanol (0.1% DEA)/CO₂, 3 mL/min): t_(R)=7.2 min.

Route 4

(R)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one

To a stirred solution of (R)-3-hydroxydihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (41.0 g, 401 mmol), imidazole (61.4 g, 920 mmol), and CH₂Cl₂ (175 mL) at 0° C., under N₂, was added t-butyldiphenylsilyl chloride (129 mL, 138 g, 497 mmol) dropwise over 30 minutes. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 19 hours. The mixture was partitioned between CH₂Cl₂ (700 mL) and H₂O (100 mL). The organic portion was concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (50% EtOAc in hexane) to afford (R)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (127 g, 373 mmol, 93% yield) as a white solid. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.84-7.82 (m, 2H), 7.73-7.71 (m, 2H), 7.50-7.40 (m, 6H), 4.41-4.31 (m, 2H), 4.06-4.00 (m, 1H), 2.29-2.19 (m, 2H), 1.10 (s, 9H).

(R)-2-(tert-Butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-4-hydroxy-N-phenylbutanamide

To a solution of aniline (356 mg, 348 μL, 3.82 mmol) in DCM (17 mL) was added trimethylaluminum (2.0M, 2.1 mL, 4.2 mmol) dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 40 min. A solution of (R)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (1.00 g, 2.94 mmol) in DCM (12 mL) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into a saturated solution of sodium potassium tartaric acid and stirred for 15 min. The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was washed with DCM (4×). The combined organics were washed with 0.1M HCl (2×), brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Purification by silica gel chromatography (10-30% EtOAc in hexane) afforded the (R)-2-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-4-hydroxy-N-phenylbutanamide (1.00 g, 78%). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=434.7; t_(R)=2.16 min.

(R)-3-(Tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one

To a solution of tert-butyl-N-tert-butoxycarbonyliminocarbamate (2.44 g, 10.61 mmol) in THF (17.25 mL) at 0° C. was added n-tributylphosphine (2.15 g, 2.64 mL, 10.61 mmol) dropwise, the cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture stirred at RT for 20 min. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0° C. and a solution of (R)-2-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-4-hydroxy-N-phenylbutanamide (1.15 g, 2.65 mmol) in THF (17.25 mL) was added slowly, the cooling bath removed and the reaction mixture stirred at RT for 45 min. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organics were washed with water (2×), brine, dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Purification by silica gel chromatography (1-10% EtOAc in hexane) afforded (R)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one (1.1 g, 96%) as an oil. ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.81 (dd, J=1.5, 7.7 Hz, 2H), 7.72-7.66 (m, 4H), 7.51-7.36 (m, 8H), 7.15 (m, 1H), 4.51 (dd, J=8.1, 9.2 Hz, 1H), 3.72-3.59 (m, 2H), 2.26-2.21 (m, 1H), 2.03-1.98 (m, 1H) and 1.06 (s, 9H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=416.7; t_(R)=2.40 min.

(R)-3-Hydroxy-1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one

To a solution of (3R)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one (2.88 g, 6.93 mmol) in THF (8.6 mL) at 0° C. was added TBAF (13.9 mL of 1 M in THF, 13.86 mmol) slowly and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 3 h. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organics were dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Purification by silica gel chromatography (0-10% MeOH in DCM) gave (R)-3-hydroxy-1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one as a white solid (0.9 g 73%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.69 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.40-7.36 (m, 2H), 7.14 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 5.75 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 4.33-4.27 (m, 1H), 3.77-3.66 (m, 2H), 2.44-2.36 (m, 1H) and 1.86-1.81 (m, 1H) ppm.

To a solution of alcohol (4.64 mmol) and DIEA (11.59 mmol) in DCM (10 mL) at −20° C. was added triflic anhydride (5.56 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for 20 min. A solution of pyrrolidine (3.86 mmol) in DCM (6 mL) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (2×), brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. Purification by silica gel chromatography afforded the desired product.

(3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-1′-phenyl-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-2′-one

Synthesized according to General Procedure 10. To a solution of (R)-3-hydroxy-1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one (822 mg, 4.64 mmol) and DIEA (1.50 g, 2.02 mL, 11.59 mmol) in DCM (10 mL) at −20° C. was added triflic anhydride (1.57 g, 936 μL, 5.56 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for 20 min. A solution of (R)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine (835 mg, 3.86 mmol) in DCM (6 mL) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (2×), brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. Purification by silica gel chromatography (30-60% EtOAc in hexane) gave (3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1′-phenyl-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-2′-one as an oil that solidified upon standing (0.9 g, 62%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.67 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.42-7.36 (m, 5H), 7.15 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 3.77 (m, 2H), 3.52 (t, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.05-2.98 (m, 4H), 2.88 (m, 1H), 2.31-2.23 (m, 2H), 2.06 (m, 1H) and 1.77-1.74 (m, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA), m/z: M+1 obs=375.5; t_(R)=1.35 min.

To a solution of the pyrrolidine (2.40 mmol) in DCE (10 mL) at 0° C. was added chlorosulfonic acid (12.0 mmol) slowly. The reaction mixture was then stirred at 0° C. for 30 min, at RT for 1 hour and at 50° C. for 1 hour. At this time more chlorosulfonic acid (2.40 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 1 hour, the reaction mixture was then heated to 70° C. for 10 min, cooled to RT and slowly poured onto ice water. The pH was brought to ˜7 with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ and the reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic phases were washed with water, brine, dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to dryness to afford the desired sulfonyl chloride.

4-[(3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]benzene-1-sulfonyl chloride

Synthesized according to General Procedure 11. To a solution of (3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1′-phenyl-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-2′-one (900 mg, 2.40 mmol) in DCE (10 mL) at 0° C. was added chlorosulfonic acid (1.40 g, 800 μL, 12.0 mmol) slowly. The reaction mixture was then stirred at 0° C. for 30 min, at RT for 1 hour and at 50° C. for 1 hour. At this time more chlorosulfonic acid (279 mg, 160 μL, 2.40 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 1 hour, the reaction mixture was then heated to 70° C. for 10 min, cooled to RT and slowly poured onto ice water. The pH was brought to 7 with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ and the reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic phases were washed with water, brine, dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to dryness to afford 4-[(3R,3═S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3═-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]benzene-1-sulfonyl chloride as a tan solid (1.00 g, 88%). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=473.3; t_(R)=1.58 min.

Method A: To a solution of 2-aminothiazole (0.16 mmol) in pyridine (0.4 mL) was added the sulfonyl chloride (0.05 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was diluted with DMSO, filtered and purified by reverse phase HPLC using 5%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA) to afford the desired product.

Method B: To a stirred solution of 2-aminothiazole (0.89 mmol) in acetonitrile (1 mL) at 0° C. was added 2-tert-butyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (0.89 mmol) dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 15 min. To this was slowly added a suspension of the sulfonyl chloride (0.17 mmol) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 15 min, the cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 30 min. The reaction mixture was then poured into water, the pH was adjusted to ˜7 with 1M HCl, and extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Purification by silica gel chromatography (0-10% MeOH in EtOAc) or reverse phase HPLC using 5%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA) afforded the desired product.

4-[(3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 12, Method A: To a solution of 2-aminothiazole (15.9 mg, 0.16 mmol) in pyridine (0.4 mL) was added 4-[(3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]benzene-1-sulfonyl chloride (25 mg, 0.05 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was diluted with DMSO, filtered and purified by reverse phase HPLC using 5%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA) to afford the desired product.

Synthesized according to General Procedure 12, Method B: To a stirred solution of 2-aminothiazole (88.8 mg, 0.89 mmol) in acetonitrile (1 ML) at 0° C. was added 2-tert-butyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (152 mg, 0.89 mmol) dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 15 min. To this was slowly added a suspension of 4-[(3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]benzene-1-sulfonyl chloride (100 mg, 0.17 mmol) in acetonitrile (0.5 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 15 min, the cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 30 min. The reaction mixture was then poured into water, the pH was adjusted to ˜7 with 1M HCl, and extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Purification by silica gel chromatography (0-10% MeOH in EtOAc) afforded the desired product as a solid (27 mg, 28%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.84-7.77 (m, 4H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 3H), 7.24 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.83-3.72 (m, 2H), 3.58 (t, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.07-2.96 (m, 3H), 2.87 (td, J=8.6, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 2.34-2.20 (m, 2H), 2.11-2.02 (m, 1H) and 1.74 (dt, J=19.9, 6.9 Hz, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=537.3; t_(R)=1.21 min.

Route 5

(R)-S-Ethyl 2-(2,2-dimethyl-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)ethanethioate

To a stirred suspension of (R)-(−)-dimethyl-5-oxo-1,2-dioxolane-4-acetic acid (3.5 g, 20 mmol), and CH₂Cl₂ (40 mL), at 0° C., under N₂, was added isovalerylchloroformate (2.9 mL, 22 mmol) dropwise over 5 minutes. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 10 minutes. Triethylamine (5.5 mL, 40 mmol) was added dropwise at 0° C. followed by the dropwise addition of ethanethiol (3.4 mL, 44 mmol). The pink mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 10 minutes. To the reaction was added Et₂O (40 mL) and the mixture was filtered. The filtrate was washed with 1.0 N aqueous HCl (20 mL), 0.1 N aqueous NaOH (20 mL), H₂O (20 mL) and brine (20 mL). The organic solution was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to obtain the desired thioester as a clear oil (3.4 g, 16 mmol, 82% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.71-4.65 (m, 1H), 3.91-3.81 (m, 1H), 3.11-2.70 (m, 3H), 1.53 (s, 3H), 1.50 (s, 3H), 0.87-0.86 (m, 3H). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=219.4; t_(R)=1.33 min.

(R)-2-(2,2-dimethyl-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)acetaldehyde

To a stirred suspension of (R)-S-ethyl 2-(2,2-dimethyl-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)ethanethioate (1.9 g, 8.7 mmol), 10% palladium on carbon (470 mg), and CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL) under N₂, at 25° C., was added triethylsilane (2.08 mL, 13.0 mmol) dropwise over 10 minutes. The mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 1 hour. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to give the desired aldehyde as a clear oil (1.2 g, 87%). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.70 (s, 1H), 4.72 (q, J=3.5 Hz, 1H), 3.10-3.01 (m, 1H), 2.93-2.84 (m, 1H), 1.56 (s, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H).

(R)-5-[2-(3,5-Difluorophenylamino)ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one

To a stirred solution of 3,5-difluoroaniline (4.0 g, 31.0 mmol), (R)-2-(2,2-dimethyl-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)acetaldehyde (4.9 g, 3 1.0 mmol) and acetic acid (1.7 ml, 31.0 mmol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (100 mL) under nitrogen at 0° C. was added sodium borohydride (117 g, 31.0 mmol mol) in portions over 10 minutes. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 2.5 hours. After cooling to 0° C. the reaction mixture was quenched by the careful addition of saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (100 mL) followed by DCM (100 mL). The phases were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane (2×100 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide the crude (R)-5-[2-(3,5-difluorophenylamino)ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one as a yellow oil (8.07 g, 29.7 mmol, 96% yield) which was used without any further purification in the next reaction step. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA), m/z: M+1 obs=272.3; t_(R)=1.76 min.

(R)-1-(3,5-Difluorophenyl)-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one

A stirred solution of (R)-5-(2-(3,5-difluorophenylamino)ethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one (8.0 g, 29.5 mmol) and p-toluensulfonic acid monohydrate (508 mg, 2.95 mmol) in MeOH (75 mL) under nitrogen was heated to 70° C. for 75 minutes. The reaction mixture was slowly cooled to RT and then continued to stir at RT overnight. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 9.5 g of a brown waxy solid. The solid was dissolved in MeOH (10 mL) and diethyl ether (100 mL) was added. The solution was allowed to stand at RT overnight. The solid was collected, washed with diethyl ether (2×25 mL) and dried under vacuum to provide (R)-1-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one as a tan solid (4.09 g, 19.2 mmol, 65%). 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.35-7.27 (m, 2H), 6.68-6.63 (m, 1H), 4.51 (dd, J=8.3, 9.8 Hz, 1H), 3.85-3.71 (m, 2H), 3.08 (s, 1H), 2.69-2.62 (m, 1H) and 2.19-2.07 (m, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=214.1; t_(R)=0.97 min.

(3′S)-3-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-1′-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-2′-one

Synthesized according to General Procedure 10. To a solution of (R)-1-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one (213 mg, 1.0 mmol) in DCM (0.7 mL) at −20° C. was added DIEA (259 mg, 348 μL, 2.0 mmol) followed by the dropwise addition of triflic anyhydride (282 mg, 168 μL, 1.0 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 45 min. A solution of 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine (216 mg, 1.0 mmol) in DCM (0.7 mL) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with EtOAc (3 ×). The combined organic phases were washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. Purification by silica gel chromatography (0-20% EtOAC in DCM) afforded (3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1′-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-2′-one as an oil that solidified upon standing (210 mg, 51%).

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) 7.33-7.28 (m, 2H), 7.19-7.17 (m, 2H), 6.64-6.58 (m, 2H), 3.83-3.74 (m, 1H), 3.72 (dd, J=7.4, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.64-3.57 (m, 1H), 3.49-3.45 (m, 0.5H), 3.37-3.25 (m, 1.5H), 3.19 (m, 1H), 3.06-2.90 (m, 1.5H), 2.76 (dd, J=7.3, 9.0 Hz, 0.5H), 2.43-2.29 (m, 2H), 2.23-2.15 (m, 1H) and 1.94-1.85 (m, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=411.3; t_(R)=1.46 min.

4-[(3′S)-3-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-2,6-difluorobenzene-1-sulfonyl chloride

Synthesized according to General Procedure 11. To a solution of (3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1′-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-2′-one (50 mg, 0.12 mmol) in DCE (0.4 mL) at 0° C. was added chlorosulfonic acid (71 mg, 40 μL, 0.61 mmol) dropwise and the reaction mixture stirred from 0° C. to RT over 1 hour, the temperature was raised to 50° C. and the reaction mixture stirred at this temperature for 2 hours. More chlorosulfonic acid was added (71 mg, 40 μL, 0.61 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, water, and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was used without further purification in the next reaction step. (LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=411.3; t_(R)=1.46 min.

4-[(3′S)-3-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-2,6-difluoro-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 12, Method B. To a solution of 2-aminothiazole (35 mg, 0.35 mmol) in acetonitrile (0.4 mL) at 0° C. was added 2-tert-butyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (61 mg, 0.35 mmol) dropwise and the reaction mixture stirred at 0° C. for 10 min. 4-[(3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-2,6-difluorobenzene-1-sulfonyl chloride (60 mg, 0.12 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with DMSO, filtered and purified by reverse phase HPLC using 5%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA) to afford 4-[(3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-2,6-difluoro-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=573.3; t_(R)=1.32 min.

Route 6

(R)-4-[2-(2,2-Dimethyl-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)ethylamino]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

To a stirred mixture of (R)-S-ethyl 2-(2,2-dimethyl-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)ethanethioate (1.9 g, 8.7 mmol), 10% palladium on carbon (470 mg), and CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL) under N₂, at 25° C., was added triethylsilane (2.08 mL, 13.0 mmol) dropwise over 10 minutes. The mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 1 hour. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to give the desired aldehyde as a clear oil (1.2 g). The aldehyde was added to a stirred solution of sulfathiazole (1.1 g, 4.3 mmol), MeOH (25 mL), and trifluoroacetic acid (2.5 mL). To this solution was added sodium borohydride (813 mg, 21.4 mmol) portionwise over 10 minutes. The mixture was stirred for 10 minutes and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (5% MeOH in DCM) to obtain (R)-4-[2-(2,2-dimethyl-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)ethylamino]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide as a white solid (1.5 g, 3.9 mmol, 45% yield). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=398.3; t_(R)=1.18 min.

(R)-4-(3-Hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzene sulfonamide

A stirred solution of (R)-4-[2-(2,2-dimethyl-5-oxo-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)ethylamino]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzene-sulfonamide (833 mg, 2.15 mmol), p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (42 mg, 0.22 mmol), and THF (10 mL) was stirred at 80° C. for 3 hours. The mixture was concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (5% MeOH in DCM) to give (R)-4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzene sulfonamide as a white solid (496 mg, 1.4 mmol, 65% yield). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.85 (dd, J=2.1, 6.9 Hz, 4H), 7.25 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 5.83 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 1H), 4.32 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.77 (dd, J=1.9, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.71-3.69 (m, 1H), 2.41-2.38 (m, 1H), 1.84 (dd, J=9.2, 12.3 Hz, 1H). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=340.2; t_(R)=0.50 min.

[(R)-4-fluoro-N-(4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)phenylsulfonyl]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 8. To a stirred solution of (R)-4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (5.0 g, 14.8 mmol) and DMF (25 mL), under N₂, at 5° C. (ice bath) was added DIEA (2.5 mL, 14.8 mmol). To this solution was added 4-fluorobenzenesulfonyl chloride (2.9 g, 14.8 mmol) portionwise over 10 minutes. The solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 20 minutes. To this solution was added MeOH (75 mL). The mixture was cooled to 5° C. via an ice bath and stirred for 30 minutes. The precipitate was filtered, washed with MeOH (20 mL), and vacuum dried to give [(R)-4-fluoro-N-(4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)phenylsulfonyl]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide as a white solid (6.5 g, 13.1 mmol, 89% yield). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.03-7.96 (m, 2H), 7.83-7.80 (m, 2H), 7.72 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (dd, J=1.8, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (s, 1H), 7.37 (s, 1H), 7.37 (dd, J=2.0, 15.6 Hz, 1H), 7.02 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 5.88 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 1H), 4.38-4.32 (m, 1H), 3.83-3.78 (m, 1H), 3.71 (td, J=9.5, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 2.52-2.42 (m, 1H), 1.87 (td, J=9.4, 4.1 Hz, 1H). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=498.3; t_(R)=1.32 min.

4-[(3′S)-3-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 9. To a stirred suspension of [(R)-4-fluoro-N-(4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)phenylsulfonyl]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (500 mg, 1.01 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (10 mL) under nitrogen at −20° C. was added DIEA (0.88 mL, 5.03 mmol) followed by the dropwise addition of triflic anhydride (0.22 mL, 1.31 mmol) over 5 min. After stirring for 15 minutes at −20° C. a solution of 3-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)pyrrolidine (197 mg, 1.01 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (1 mL) was added dropwise over 5 minutes. The reaction mixture was continued to stir at −20° C. for 1 hour. Morpholine (0.35 mL, 4.02 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at −20° C. for 1.5 hours. The reaction mixture was then poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (10 mL), DCM (5 mL) was added and the phases were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with DCM (5 mL). The organic portions were combined and washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (5×5 ml). The organic layer was washed with brine (5 mL), dried over MgSO₄ and absorbed onto Celite. Purification by silica gel column chromatography (1-5% MeOH in DCM) afforded 4-[(3′S)-3-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl]-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide as a white solid (385 mg, 0.74 mmol, 74% yield). LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=517.0; t_(R)=1.11

4-[(3S,3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide and 4-[(3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 9. To a suspension of [(R)-4-fluoro-N-(4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)phenylsulfonyl]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzene-sulfonamide (435 mg, 0.87 mmol) in DCM (9 mL) under nitrogen at −20 to −30° C. was added DIEA (565 mg, 760 μL, 4.37 mmol) followed by the dropwise addition of triflic anhydride (321 mg, 191 μL, 1.14 mmol). After stirring for 15 min at this temperature a solution of 3-(3,5-dichloro (189 mg, 0.87 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was continued to stir at −20 to −30° C. for 40 min. Morpholine (0.30 mL, 3.50 mmol) was added, and the reaction mixture was stirred for further 30 min. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to RT and poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (25 mL), the phases were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with DCM (2×25 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. Purification by silica gel chromatography (2-5% MeOH in DCM) afforded the product (270 mg, 57%) as an off-white solid. Chiral separation by SFC (Chiralpak AS-H column (2×25 cm), 40% methanol (0.1% DEA)/CO₂, 50 mL/min)) afforded both diastereomers with >98% de. Absolute configuration at C-3 (pyrrolidine) was assigned based on an independent synthesis with enantiomerically enriched (R)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine that afforded the first peak to elute (SFC-analysis).

(3R,3′S): ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.84-7.77 (m, 4H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 3H), 7.24 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.83-3.72 (m, 2H), 3.58 (t, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.07-2.96 (m, 3H), 2.87 (td, J=8.6, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 2.34-2.20 (m, 2H), 2.11-2.02 (m, 1H) and 1.74 (dt, J=19.9, 6.9 Hz, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=537.3; t_(R)=1.30 min. SFC (Chiralpak AS-H, (0.46×25 cm), 40% methanol (1% DEA)/CO₂, 3 mL/min): t_(R)=13.0 min.

(3S,3′S): ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.84 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.80 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.25 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.84-3.73 (m, 2H), 3.65-3.60 (m, 1H), 3.39-3.25 (m, 1H), 3.14 (td, J=8.6, 4.3 Hz, 2.74 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 2.65 (dd, J=6.4, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 2.32-2.20 (m, 2H), 2.12-1.99 (m, 1H) and 1.79-1.71 (m, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA), m/z: M+1 obs=537.3; t_(R)=1.30 min. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=537.3; t_(R)=1.30 min. SFC (Chiralpak AS-H, (0.46×25 cm), 40% methanol (1% DEA)/CO₂, 3 mL/min): t_(R)=14.3 min.

(R)-4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 8. To a stirred suspension of (R)-4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (41 g, 0.121 mol) in DCM (205 mL) under N₂ at 0° C. was added DIEA (15.6 g, 21 mL, 0.121 mol). To this suspension at 0° C. was added 4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride (25 g, 0.121 mol) portionwise over 15 minutes. The cooling bath was removed and the suspension was allowed to warm to RT over 1 hour during which time the reaction mixture became a homogeneous solution. The solution was cooled to 0° C. and MeOH (2.05 L) was added. Stirring was continued at 0° C. After 10 minutes a precipitate formed. The resulting suspension was stirred at 0° C. for 30 minutes and then filtered. The filter cake was washed with MeOH (2×250 mL) and then dried under vacuum to constant weight to provide (R)-4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide as a white solid (55.49 g, 0.109 mol, 90% yield). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.86-7.80 (m, 4H), 7.70 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.03-6.98 (m, 3H), 5.88 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 1H), 4.38-4.32 (m, 1H), 3.85-3.77 (m, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.70 (td, J=9.4, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 2.48-2.41 (m, 1H) and 1.92-1.82 (m, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=510.0; t_(R)=1.22 min.

To a suspension of the alcohol (39.3 mmol) in DCM (140 ML) under nitrogen at −5° C. was added DIEA (117.8 mmol) followed by triflic anhydride (58.88 mmol) added dropwise over 30 minutes. The resulting suspension was stirred for 1 hour at −5° C. and then treated with a solution of the pyrrolidine (43.18 mmol) in DCM (40 mL) added dropwise over 30 minutes. The resulting solution was continued to stir at −5° C. for 1 hour, diluted with DCM (200 mL) and partitioned with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (250 mL). The organic layer was removed, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure. Purification by silica gel chromatography (1-5% MeOH in DCM) provided the desired product.

4-[(3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 13. To a suspension of (R)-4-(3-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (20.0 g, 39.3 mmol) in DCM (140 mL) under nitrogen at −5° C. was added DIEA (15.22 g, 20.5 mL, 1 17.8 mmol) followed by the dropwise addition of triflic anhydride (16.61 g, 9.91 ml, 58.88 mmol) over 30 min. The resulting light brown suspension was stirred for 1 hour at −5° C. and then treated with a solution of (3R)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrrolidine (9.33 g, 43.18 mmol) in DCM (40 mL) added dropwise over 30 min. The resulting clear brown solution was continued to stir at −5° C. for 1 hour, diluted with DCM (200 mL) and partitioned with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (250 mL). The organic layer was removed, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to provide a brown foam (30.6 g). This material was absorbed onto silica gel and purified by silica gel chromatography (1-5% MeOH in DCM) to provide 4-[(3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide as a light brown solid (22.76 g, 32.16 mmol, 82% yield). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.86-7.79 (m, 4H), 7.70 (d, J=5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.03-6.98 (m, 3H), 3.85-3.73 (m, 1H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.61-3.57 (m, 2H), 3.40-3.35 (m, 1H), 3.08-3.01 (m, 3H), 2.90 (td, J=8.7, 4.4 Hz, 1H), 2.38-2.21 (m, 2H), 2.14-2.06 (m, 1H) and 1.80-1.71 (m, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=707.1; t_(R)=1.63 min.

To a stirred solution of bissulfonamide (56.5 mmol) in DCM (320 mL) under nitrogen at 0° C. was added morpholine (62.2 mmol) dropwise over 5 minutes. The cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to RT. Stirring was continued at RT for 2 hours during which time the product precipitated. The solid was filtered, washed with ethyl acetate (100 mL) and dried under vacuum to constant weight to provide the desired product.

4-[(3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized according to General Procedure 14. To a stirred solution of 4-[(3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (40 g, 56.5 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (320 mL) under nitrogen at 0° C. was added morpholine (5.42 g, 5.42 mL, 62.2 mmol) dropwise over 5 minutes. The cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to RT. Stirring was continued at RT for 2 hours during which time the product precipitated. The solid was filtered, washed with ethyl acetate (100 mL) and dried under vacuum to constant weight to provide 4-[(3R,3′S)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2′-oxo-1,3′-bipyrrolidin-1′-yl]-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide as a white solid (23.50 g, 43.7 mmol, 77% yield). ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) δ 7.84-7.77 (m, 4H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 3H), 7.24 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (d, J=4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.83-3.72 (m, 2H), 3.58 (t, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.07-2.96 (m, 3H), 2.87 (td, J=8.6, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 2.34-2.20 (m, 2H), 2.11-2.02 (m, 1H) and 1.74 (dt, J=19.9, 6.9 Hz, 1H) ppm. LC/MS (10%-99% CH₃CN (0.035% TFA)/H₂O (0.05% TFA)), m/z: M+1 obs=537.3; t_(R)=1.30 min. SFC (Chiralpak AS-H, (0.46×25 cm), 40% methanol (1% DEA)/CO₂, 3 ML/min): t_(R)=13.0 min.

Table 3 below recites the analytical data for the compounds of Table 2 above.

TABLE 3 Cmpd. LC/MS LC/RT ¹H-NMR No. M + 1 min. (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶) 1 573.3 1.31 2 517 1.11 3 537.3 1.31 δ 7.84 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.80 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.25 (d, J = 4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d, J = 4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.84-3.73 (m, 2H), 3.65-3.60 (m, 1H), 3.39-3.25 (m, 1H), 3.14 (td, J = 8.6, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 2.74 (t, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 2.65 (dd, J = 6.4, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 2.32-2.20 (m, 2H), 2.12-1.99 (m, 1H) and 1.79-1.71 (m, 1H) ppm. 4 537.5 1.33 δ 7.84-7.77 (m, 4H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 3H), 7.24 (d, J = 4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (d, J = 4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.83-3.72 (m, 2H), 3.58 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.07-2.96 (m, 3H), 2.87 (td, J = 8.6, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 2.34-2.20 (m, 2H), 2.11-2.02 (m, 1H) and 1.74 (dt, J = 19.9, 6.9 Hz, 1H) ppm. 5 537.3 1.31 6 503.2 1.29 7 503 1.28 8 487.1 1.15 9 469 1.15 10 537.5 1.33 δ 7.84 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.80 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.25 (d, J = 4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d, J = 4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.84-3.73 (m, 2H), 3.65-3.60 (m, 1H), 3.39-3.25 (m, 1H), 3.14 (td, J = 8.6, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 2.74 (t, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 2.65 (dd, J = 6.4, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 2.32-2.20 (m, 2H), 2.12-1.99 (m, 1H) and 1.79-1.71 (m, 1H) ppm. 11 537.3 1.34 δ 7.84-7.77 (m, 4H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 3H), 7.24 (d, J = 4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (d, J = 4.6 Hz, 1H), 3.83-3.72 (m, 2H), 3.58 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.07-2.96 (m, 3H), 2.87 (td, J = 8.6, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 2.34-2.20 (m, 2H), 2.11-2.02 (m, 1H) and 1.74 (dt, J = 19.9, 6.9 Hz, 1H) ppm. Assays for Detecting and Measuring NaV Inhibition Properties of Compound Optical Methods for Assaying NaV Inhibition Properties of Compounds:

Compounds of the invention are useful as antagonists of voltage-gated sodium ion channels. Antagonist properties of test compounds were assessed as follows. Cells expressing the NaV of interest were placed into microtiter plates. After an incubation period, the cells were stained with fluorescent dyes sensitive to the transmembrane potential. The test compounds were added to the microtiter plate. The cells were stimulated with either a chemical or electrical means to evoke a NaV dependent membrane potential change from unblocked channels, which was detected and measured with trans-membrane potential-sensitive dyes. Antagonists were detected as a decreased membrane potential response to the stimulus. The optical membrane potential assay utilized voltage-sensitive FRET sensors described by Gonzalez and Tsien (See, Gonzalez, J. E. and R. Y. Tsien (1995) “Voltage sensing by fluorescence resonance energy transfer in single cells” Biophys J 69(4): 1272-80, and Gonzalez, J. E. and R. Y. Tsien (1997) “Improved indicators of cell membrane potential that use fluorescence resonance energy transfer” Chem Biol 4(4): 269-77) in combination with instrumentation for measuring fluorescence changes such as the Voltage/Ion Probe Reader (VIPR®) (See, Gonzalez, J. E., K. Oades, et al. (1999) “Cell-based assays and instrumentation for screening ion-channel targets” Drug Discov Today 4(9): 431-439).

VIPR® Optical Membrane Potential Assay Method with Chemical Stimulation

Cell Handling and Dye Loading

24 hours before the assay on VIPR, CHO cells endogenously expressing a NaV1.2 type voltage-gated NaV are seeded in 96-well poly-lysine coated plates at 60,000 cells per well. Other subtypes are performed in an analogous mode in a cell line expressing the NaV of interest.

1) On the day of the assay, medium is aspirated and cells are washed twice with 225 μL of Bath Solution #2 (BS#2).

2) A 15 uM CC2-DMPE solution is prepared by mixing 5 mM coumarin stock solution with 10% Pluronic 127 1:1 and then dissolving the mix in the appropriate volume of BS#2.

3) After bath solution is removed from the 96-well plates, the cells are loaded with 80 μL of the CC2-DMPE solution. Plates are incubated in the dark for 30 minutes at room temperature.

4) While the cells are being stained with coumarin, a 15 μL oxonol solution in BS#2 is prepared. In addition to DiSBAC₂(3), this solution should contain 0.75 mM ABSC1 and 30 μL veratridine (prepared from 10 mM EtOH stock, Sigma #V-5754).

5) After 30 minutes, CC2-DMPE is removed and the cells are washed twice with 225 L of BS#2. As before, the residual volume should be 40 μL.

6) Upon removing the bath, the cells are loaded with 80 μL of the DiSBAC₂(3) solution, after which test compound, dissolved in DMSO, is added to achieve the desired test concentration to each well from the drug addition plate and mixed thoroughly. The volume in the well should be roughly 121 μL. The cells are then incubated for 20-30 minutes.

7) Once the incubation is complete, the cells are ready to be assayed on VIPR® with a sodium add back protocol. 120 μL of Bath solution #1 is added to stimulate the NaV dependent depolarization. 200 μL tetracaine was used as an antagonist positive control for block of the NaV channel.

Analysis of VIPR® Data:

Data are analyzed and reported as normalized ratios of background-subtracted emission intensities measured in the 460 nm and 580 nm channels. Background intensities are then subtracted from each assay channel. Background intensities are obtained by measuring the emission intensities during the same time periods from identically treated assay wells in which there are no cells. The response as a function of time is then reported as the ratios obtained using the following formula:

${R(t)} = \frac{\left( {{intensity}_{460\mspace{14mu}{nm}} - {background}_{460\mspace{14mu}{nm}}} \right)}{\left( {{intensity}_{580\mspace{14mu}{nm}} - {background}_{580\mspace{14mu}{nm}}} \right)}$

The data is further reduced by calculating the initial (R_(i)) and final (R_(f)) ratios. These are the average ratio values during part or all of the pre-stimulation period, and during sample points during the stimulation period. The response to the stimulus R=R_(f)/R_(i) is then calculated. For the Na⁺ addback analysis time windows, baseline is 2-7 sec and final response is sampled at 15-24 sec.

Control responses are obtained by performing assays in the presence of a compound with the desired properties (positive control), such as tetracaine, and in the absence of pharmacological agents (negative control). Responses to the negative (N) and positive (P) controls are calculated as above. The compound antagonist activity A is defined as:

$A = {\frac{R - P}{N - P} \star 100.}$ where R is the ratio response of the test compound Solutions [mM]

Bath Solution #1: NaCl 160, KCl 4.5, CaCl₂ 2, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 10, pH 7.4 with NaOH

Bath Solution #2 TMA-Cl 160, CaCl₂ 0.1, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 10, pH 7.4 with KOH (final K concentration 5 mM)

CC2-DMPE: prepared as a 5 mM stock solution in DMSO and stored at −20° C.

DiSBAC₂(3): prepared as a 12 mM stock in DMSO and stored at −20° C.

ABSC1: prepared as a 200 mM stock in distilled H₂O and stored at room temperature

Cell Culture

CHO cells are grown in DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium; GibcoBRL #10569-010) supplemented with 10% FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum, qualified; GibcoBRL #16140-071) and 1% Pen-Strep (Penicillin-Streptomycin; GibcoBRL #15140-122). Cells are grown in vented cap flasks, in 90% humidity and 10% CO₂, to 100% confluence. They are usually split by trypsinization 1:10 or 1:20, depending on scheduling needs, and grown for 2-3 days before the next split.

VIPR® Optical Membrane Potential Assay Method with Electrical Stimulation

The following is an example of how NaV1.3 inhibition activity is measured using the optical membrane potential method#2. Other subtypes are performed in an analogous mode in a cell line expressing the NaV of interest.

HEK293 cells stably expressing NaV1.3 are plated into 96-well microtiter plates. After an appropriate incubation period, the cells are stained with the voltage sensitive dyes CC2-DMPE/DiSBAC2(3) as follows.

Reagents

100 mg/mL Pluronic F-127 (Sigma #P2443), in dry DMSO

10 mM DiSBAC₂(3) (Aurora #00-100-010) in dry DMSO

10 mM CC2-DMPE (Aurora #00-100-008) in dry DMSO

200 mM ABSC1 in H₂O

Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (Hyclone #SH30268.02) supplemented with 10 mM HEPES (Gibco #15630-080)

Loading Protocol

2× CC2-DMPE=20 μM CC2-DMPE: 10 mM CC2-DMPE is vortexed with an equivalent volume of 10% pluronic, followed by vortexing in required amount of HBSS containing 10 mM HEPES. Each cell plate will require 5 mL of 2× CC2-DMPE. 50 μL of 2× CC2-DMPE is to wells containing washed cells, resulting in a 10 μM final staining concentration. The cells are stained for 30 minutes in the dark at RT.

2× DISBAC₂(3) with ABSC1=6 μM DISBAC₂(3) and 1 mM ABSC1: The required amount of 10 mM DISBAC₂(3) is added to a 50 ml conical tube and mixed with 1 μL 10% pluronic for each mL of solution to be made and vortexed together. Then HBSS/HEPES is added to make up 2× solution. Finally, the ABSC1 is added.

The 2× DiSBAC₂(3) solution can be used to solvate compound plates. Note that compound plates are made at 2× drug concentration. Wash stained plate again, leaving residual volume of 50 μL. Add 50 uL/well of the 2× DiSBAC₂(3) w/ ABSC1. Stain for 30 minutes in the dark at RT.

The electrical stimulation instrument and methods of use are described in ION Channel Assay Methods PCT/US01/21652, herein incorporated by reference. The instrument comprises a microtiter plate handler, an optical system for exciting the coumarin dye while simultaneously recording the coumarin and oxonol emissions, a waveform generator, a current- or voltage-controlled amplifier, and a device for inserting electrodes in well. Under integrated computer control, this instrument passes user-programmed electrical stimulus protocols to cells within the wells of the microtiter plate.

Reagents

Assay buffer #1

140 mM NaCl, 4.5 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM HEPES, 10 mM glucose, pH 7.40, 330 mOsm

Pluronic stock (1000×): 100 mg/mL pluronic 127 in dry DMSO

Oxonol stock (3333×): 10 mM DiSBAC₂(3) in dry DMSO

Coumarin stock (1000×): 10 mM CC2-DMPE in dry DMSO

ABSC1 stock (400×): 200 mM ABSC1 in water

Assay Protocol

Insert or use electrodes into each well to be assayed.

Use the current-controlled amplifier to deliver stimulation wave pulses for 3 s. Two seconds of pre-stimulus recording are performed to obtain the un-stimulated intensities. Five seconds of post-stimulation recording are performed to examine the relaxation to the resting state.

Data Analysis

Data are analyzed and reported as normalized ratios of background-subtracted emission intensities measured in the 460 nm and 580 nm channels. Background intensities are then subtracted from each assay channel. Background intensities are obtained by measuring the emission intensities during the same time periods from identically treated assay wells in which there are no cells. The response as a function of time is then reported as the ratios obtained using the following formula:

${R(t)} = \frac{\left( {{intensity}_{460\mspace{14mu}{nm}} - {background}_{460\mspace{14mu}{nm}}} \right)}{\left( {{intensity}_{580\mspace{14mu}{nm}} - {background}_{580\mspace{14mu}{nm}}} \right)}$

The data is further reduced by calculating the initial (R_(i)) and final (R_(f)) ratios. These are the average ratio values during part or all of the pre-stimulation period, and during sample points during the stimulation period. The response to the stimulus R=R_(f)/R_(i) is then calculated.

Control responses are obtained by performing assays in the presence of a compound with the desired properties (positive control), such as tetracaine, and in the absence of pharmacological agents (negative control). Responses to the negative (N) and positive (P) controls are calculated as above. The compound antagonist activity A is defined as:

$A = {\frac{R - P}{N - P} \star 100.}$ where R is the ratio response of the test compound. Electrophysiology Assays for NaV Activity and Inhibition of Test Compounds

Patch clamp electrophysiology was used to assess the efficacy and selectivity of sodium channel blockers in dorsal root ganglion neurons. Rat neurons were isolated from the dorsal root ganglions and maintained in culture for 2 to 10 days in the presence of NGF (50 ng/ml) (culture media consisted of NeurobasalA supplemented with B27, glutamine and antibiotics). Small diameter neurons (nociceptors, 8-12 μm in diameter) have been visually identified and probed with fine tip glass electrodes connected to an amplifier (Axon Instruments). The “voltage clamp” mode has been used to assess the compound's IC50 holding the cells at −60 mV. In addition, the “current clamp” mode has been employed to test the efficacy of the compounds in blocking action potential generation in response to current injections. The results of these experiments have contributed to the definition of the efficacy profile of the compounds.

Voltage-Clamp Assay in DRG Neurons

TTX-resistant sodium currents were recorded from DRG somata using the whole-cell variation of the patch clamp technique. Recordings were made at room temperature (˜22° C.) with thick walled borosilicate glass electrodes (WPI; resistance 3-4 M. using an Axopatch 200B amplifier (Axon Instruments). After establishing the whole-cell configuration, approximately 15 minutes were allowed for the pipette solution to equilibrate within the cell before beginning recording. Currents were lowpass filtered between 2-5 kHz and digitally sampled at 10 kHz. Series resistance was compensated 60-70% and was monitored continuously throughout the experiment. The liquid junction potential (−7 mV) between the intracellular pipette solution and the external recording solution was not accounted for in the data analysis. Test solutions were applied to the cells with a gravity driven fast perfusion system (SF-77; Warner Instruments).

Dose-response relationships were determined in voltage clamp mode by repeatedly depolarizing the cell from the experiment specific holding potential to a test potential of +10 mV once every 60 seconds. Blocking effects were allowed to plateau before proceeding to the next test concentration.

Solutions

Intracellular solution (in mM): Cs—F (130), NaCl (10), MgCl₂ (1), EGTA (1.5), CaCl2 (0.1), HEPES (10), glucose (2), pH=7.42, 290 mOsm.

Extracellular solution (in mM): NaCl (138), CaCl₂ (1.26), KCl (5.33), KH₂PO₄ (0.44), MgCl₂ (0.5), MgSO₄ (0.41), NaHCO₃ (4), Na₂HPO₄ (0.3), glucose (5.6), HEPES (10), CdCl₂ (0.4 ), NiCl₂ (0.1), TTX (0.25×10⁻³).

Current-Clamp Assay for NaV Channel Inhibition Activity of Compounds

Cells were current-clamped in whole-cell configuration with a Multiplamp 700A amplifier (Axon Inst). Borosilicate pipettes (4-5 Mohm) were filled with (in mM): 150 K-gluconate, 10 NaCl, 0.1 EGTA, 10 Hepes, 2 MgCl₂, (buffered to pH 7.34 with KOH). Cells were bathed in (in mM): 140 NaCl, 3 KCl, 1 MgCl₂, 1 CaCl₂, and 10 Hepes). Pipette potential was zeroed before seal formation; liquid junction potentials were not corrected during acquisition. Recordings were made at room temperature.

The exemplified compounds of Table 2 herein are active against one or more sodium channels as measured using the assays described hereinabove as presented in Table 4.

TABLE 4 IC50/EC50 Bins: +++ <= 2.0 < ++ <= 5.0 < + Percent Activity Bins: + <= 25.0 < ++ <= 100.0 < +++ Binned Percent Cmpd. No. Binned IC50 Activity 1 ++ ++ 2 ++ ++ 3 +++ ++ 4 +++ ++ 5 +++ ++ 6 +++ ++ 7 ++ ++ 8 + ++ 9 +++ ++ 10 + ++ 11 + ++

Many modifications and variations of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the scope, as is apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only. 

1. A compound of formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein, independently for each occurrence: R and R₁ are halo or a C1-C6 aliphatic; m is an integer from 0 to 4 inclusive; and n is an integer from 0 to 5 inclusive.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is halo.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₁ is halo.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₁ is C1-C6 aliphatic.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is
 0. 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is
 2. 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein n is
 0. 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein n is
 1. 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein n is
 2. 10. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is F.
 11. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₁ is Cl.
 12. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₁ is F.
 13. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₁ is methyl.
 14. The compound of claim 1, wherein m and n are
 0. 15. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is 0 and n is
 1. 16. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is 0 and n is
 2. 17. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is 0, n is 1, and R₁ is Cl.
 18. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is 0, n is 1, and R₁ is F.
 19. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is 0, n is 2, and R₁ is Cl.
 20. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is 0, n is 2, and R₁ is Cl or Me.
 21. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is 2, R is F, and n is
 2. 22. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is 2, R is F, n is 2, and R₁ is Cl.
 23. The compound of claim 1, of formula Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, or Ie:

wherein, independently for each occurrence: R and R₁ are C1-C6 aliphatic or halo.
 24. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from


25. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 